Jefferson Republicans split delegates: 4 for McCain, 2 for Paul
Lyle Newlin, Jefferson County Republican Party treasurer, writes the names of those elected delegates from Jefferson County to the state convention. The final three came after three ballots were taken Saturday at the convention at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge. -- Photo by Jeff Chew/Peninsula Daily News
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
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The delegates are eligible to represent the county party at the state GOP convention May 29-31 in Spokane.
The preferences of the elected delegates reflect the political divide between supporters of McCain, who has enough delegates nationwide to get the nomination for president, and those for Paul.
After three rounds of voting, the 51 delegates who had been elected during February caucuses, were narrowed down to six delegates and six alternate delegates.
The delegates are county Auditor Donna Eldridge, Richard Hild, Edel Sokol, Mike Burkart, Bruce Glenn and Larry Hovde.
Alternate delegates elected were Jerry Lindsey, Daphane Kilburn, Peggy Reep, Judi Stewart, Reta Blanck and Gordon Shadburne.
A 2008 party platform was resoundingly adopted.
Arguing party rules
With at least 80 in attendance, the convention had a rocky start, with several challenging party rules and sometimes disorderly parliamentary proceedings that prompted Jefferson County Republican Party Chairwoman Barbara Bradford to slam down the gavel at one point, calling for order.
"We never had controversy like this before. Many of these people you have never seen before, never paid their dues," Bradford said after the convention adjourned.
The event lasted more than three hours, the first hour of which was absorbed by debate over party rules, which Party Vice Chairman Ron Gregory said should not be an issue.
It was the delegates and Party platform that were the top business at hand, Gregory argued, saying that the executive board deals with bylaws and such other matters.
At one point Gregory called for civility.
After two votes, one rule was amended, taking out the 10:30 a.m. deadline for submittal of all resolutions the day of the state convention.
Paul Smith asked to strike the rule altogether, but that was voted down.
State Committeeman Roger Short called the debate involving the rules "kind of ridiculous."
Susan Grantham, saying she was "new to the process," walked out of the convention.
"You're arguing about such petty things," Grantham said.
"This is horrible. It sets a terrible example for young people."
She said that originally she was excited about being involved in the election of her first delegates, but was now "unsure about wanting to be involved in the process."
Kilburn, an alternate delegate, talked about whey she wanted to be involved.
"I think it's important for unity and continuity for our party at the state level," she said.
Kilburn said she heard about "a splintered party in Jefferson County" and wanted to end that.
Party leaders agreed that the party must unite and grow in support to defeat the so-called "Democratic machine" in Jefferson County.
Jefferson GOP board Treasurer Lyle Newlin said that the Jefferson County Party had about 250 members — compared to more than 2,000 Jefferson County Democrats active in their party politics.
Platform planks
Platform issues adopted were:
Two GOP candidates for county and state offices campaigned.
Thomas Thomas of Sequim, who is running against Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, said former Rep. Jim Buck of Joyce has endorsed his candidacy.
Buck lost to Van De Wege in 2006.
He asked Jefferson Republicans for their financial support, vowing that he would represent their interests, rather than those of Seattle voters.
"We should decide when we need government to step in as police, and when the landowner should decide" to police his or her own, said Thomas.
Dennis Schultz, who is challenging Democratic county Commissioner Phil Johnson, criticized the board of county commissioners, all Democrats.
He said they had not listened to the will of the people on issues such as water quality and septic system regulations.
"I've seen the commissioners treat people that they are in disagreement with arrogance," Schultz said.
He warned that county tax revenues were declining in Jefferson County's soft economy, which would hurt residents.
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Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: April 12. 2008 9:00PM