The turnout at the Cook County Grand Old Party (GOP) precinct caucus on Tuesday, February 25, was light, but enthusiasm among participants was high and the mood upbeat. There was no vitriol towards Democratic presidential candidates or Democrats in general, only a focus on republican ideas and resolutions geared towards smaller government, protection for the unborn, keeping and building a strong economy, protecting the environment, etc. Seated at the table from L-R: Catherine Just, Mary Sanders, Rae Piepho, and Paul Just. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Only 23 people attended the Cook County GOP BPOU (basic political, organizational unit) caucus that was held at the Cook County Senior Center at 7 p.m. on February 25.
Current GOP county chair Mary Petz opened the meeting and high school senior Trent Spry led the Pledge of the Allegiance, with Paul Just giving the invocation.
A large envelope for donations for the local Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU) was distributed, and money was collected to help with the 2020 budget.
Petz said much of last year’s budget was spent on advertising, and convention fees. This year, said Petz, the plan is to have a booth and a “float” at the Fisherman’s Picnic. It’s been a couple of years since Republicans have made an impact at Fisherman’s Picnic. The last time there was a booth, said Mary, a tourist came up to her and exclaimed, “I didn’t know there were any Republicans in Cook County!”
Two letters from GOP US Senate candidates were read. One was from Jason Lewis and one from Rob Barrett, two Twin City residents who are both vying for US Senator Tina Smith’s seat. Mary Petz read a letter from U.S. Congressman Pete Stauber that said in part that he was working with President Trump to “unleash America’s economic engine, create Minnesota jobs, and increase wages.” He said he was also fighting to, “defeat the Democrat’s socialist agenda that includes a $93 trillion Green New Deal. That would abolish mining, kill manufacturing, and ban everything from cows to cars.”
Once letters had been read, each table formulated resolutions and elected precinct officers to attend the Tuesday, March 10 BPOUC at the Senior Center (Hub). At that meeting, delegates will be selected to carry resolutions to the Eighth District Republican Convention that will be held April 18 in Hinckley.
Cook County delegates will also be chosen to attend the State Convention held May 15-16 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The National Republican Convention will be held August 24-27, 2020, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Traditional themes once again were threaded through the Standing Platform of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s 11 planks. These included “promoting economic prosperity, restoring and defending civil rights, protecting health care, educating children, strengthen families and communities, protecting public safety, strengthen the rule of law, enjoying and protecting our natural resources, making government smaller and better, and defending America at home and abroad.”
Each precinct table wrote one or more resolutions in support of a plank or planks, and those will be carried to the Congressional District Convention where they will be voted on. Should they pass they will be forwarded to the State Convention, and if adopted, they would be incorporated into the Standing Platform of the Minnesota Republican Party.
Republicans are needed to be Cook County Election judges and Poll Challengers on Election Day, said Petz, who said if anyone is interested to contact the Cook County Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
Towards the end of the meeting, Paul Just reminded the group that the political contribution refund program had been reinstated in 2017. Political contributions of $50 for individuals and $100 for couples given to local or state party units or to candidates for office who have a signed agreement with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board would be refunded if the proper paperwork were submitted.
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