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GOP holds Grip-n-Grin event for public

Kile Brewer
Posted 5/23/18

CLAY COUNTY – Before the advent of the internet, political candidates’ only means of sharing their positions came from face-to-face interaction with their constituents—Clay County Republican …

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GOP holds Grip-n-Grin event for public


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – Before the advent of the internet, political candidates’ only means of sharing their positions came from face-to-face interaction with their constituents—Clay County Republican Party Board Chairman Gary Cross hopes to bring this practice back to Clay County and carry it forward into the modern era.

Calling back to the hobnobs of years past, Cross and the Clay County Republican Party hosted an event they called a Grip n Grin for any and all candidates for local office all the way up to candidates for positions in the U.S. Congress, as long as they were Republicans.

“We wanted to have an old fashioned hobnob and give each candidate the opportunity to speak,” Cross said from underneath the brim of his cowboy hat. “It’s important for candidates to have a chance to touch others and get their message out.”

Those who entered Reinhold Pavilion Saturday were immediately greeted by one of the central figures in the present-day Republican Party, President Donald Trump, in cardboard form, who stood behind a table filled with literature, stickers and pins featuring the faces, names and slogans of every Republican candidate with interests in Clay County.

The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with a straw poll being taken through the end of the day’s festivities with results being read at 2. Around 11, free sandwiches were served as politicians settled into their rotation at the microphone where they were each given a chance to speak to the crowd, who were happily munching on coleslaw and barbecued meats.

Once people started to file in, Cross seemed content that this inaugural event would find its place in Clay County. The Republican Party hopes to strengthen their reach and solidify themselves in the communities that make up the county.

“This was all Gary Cross’ idea,” said County Commissioner Mike Cella. “It’s my opinion that as a candidate you can’t do enough to reach out to the people and tell them where you stand on issues, really, that’s the way politics should be. I think everybody involved will benefit from this [going forward].”

Cross said he hopes to make the event a staple in Clay County Republican politics, where conservative voters can expect the event each year around the same time. According to the group’s Facebook page, local winners from the straw poll included Smitty Huffman replacing current District 4 County Commissioner Gavin Rollins as well as LaTanya Peterson replacing current District 1 School Board representative Janice Kerekes.