(Lori Piotrowski) – Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki addressed the crowd at the Silverton Veil Room last evening, September 20, urging Clark County Republican Central Committee members and guests to participate in the precinct meetings scheduled for February 18th.. He reminded them that Nevada is third in the nation and first [and only] in the West.
Adding importance to the meetings is the presidential straw poll. Krolicki told guests that the results of this poll will have a strong bearing on who the next president of the United States will be. “No matter who the candidate is in November, we will unite behind him [or her] and ensure that victory.”
Woody Stroupe, vice chairman of the Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) opened the meeting by recognizing the volunteers who worked so hard to elect Mark Amodei in the CD2 special election earlier this month. He made special recognition of Tim Williams, Jr., CCRP political director, who worked so hard to focus the efforts of the volunteers.
Stroupe introduced elected officials: Senators Barbara Cegavske, Michael Roberson, and Elizabeth Halseth; Assemblymen Cresent Hardy, Scott Hammond, and Lynn Stewart; Constables Gary Rogers and Jordan Ross; and John Cole, trustee for the Clark County School District.
Doug Bradford, center director of the USO Las Vegas, spoke about the upcoming one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas branch of the USO at McCarran Airport. He encouraged the audience to call in on November 11 to a phone bank between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Channel 3 and donate.
Jeffrey Katz spoke for a few minutes about an upcoming seminar that will give conservatives an education in economics. “What does a free market do and why is it important to our daily lives?” he asked. This seminar, given by Loren Spivack, known as the Free Market Warrior, will educate attendees about free market economics on November 10-12.
Carole Long, chair of the Voter Rights committee, invited attendees to the Open House on October 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. She encouraged members to visit the party’s headquarters, located in the Holsum Bread Lofts. A new sculpture, by local artist Miguel Rodriguez, will be installed especially for the Open House. Rodriguez’s “give’emhellaphant” is a life-size sculpture fashioned of Styrofoam and a plastic hard coat.
Part of the evening’s business was electing representatives to the CCRP executive board from Districts A, B, and C. Running for District A were Bob Frank, Daniel Hancock, and Sara Weber; for District B Richard Engel and Len Marciano; for District C Rick Houghtelling and Eric Morelli.
After hearing speeches from the candidates, the meeting paused while members of those districts voted. District A required a run-off election, and once those votes were counted, the winners were announced: Frank, Engel, and Houghtelling.
Senator Barbara Cegavske addressed the crowd as the meeting reconvened. “It’s exciting for me being in the Assembly and the Senate. It’s been a great learning experience—the sort of learning you don’t get in school. But the most important part is the friends and people you get to know and the views you get to hear.”
“I’m excited to tell you a bit about where we were, how we got there, and where we need to be next time. Because next time, we need to be in control in both houses!”
She provided attendees with an overview of the redistricting issue that dogged the 76th Legislature, saying that she had tried over and over again to work with the Democrats. She is looking forward to Judge Russell’s decision, which is due today, as to what instructions he will give the special masters as they begin to draw the new districts.”
School vouchers for charter schools is an issue she will continue to press, and she mentioned Cresent Hardy’s hard fight for changes in the prevailing wage laws. “We’ll keep working on it, Cresent. We’ll get it done.”
John Hambrick, assemblyman from District 2, spoke about his feeling of coming home when speaking at the CCRCC meeting. “First things, first. Hi, Dave!” Dave Gibbs, chairman, was on the phone from Afghanistan.
“At this point in the history books, we can’t change anything, but the Democrats came in ready to ride roughshod over the Republicans. But by the third week, they were seeing that we in the Assembly were standing strong.”
He gave a nod to the redistricting issue, saying that his district is likely to change. Hambrick pledged his support to candidates who will stand up and run against Democrat incumbents.
Nevada Republican Chair, Amy Tarkanian, also thanked the attendees for turning out the CD2 vote and thanked Tim Williams, saying he was the “go-to” contact for the state and county and coordinated the efforts, walking door-to-door and filling phone banks. She then introduced two new members of the NRP, David Gallagher, new executive director, and Cory Drumright, caucus director.
Tim Williams reported on the election efforts. “Many people said the results of CD2 were foregone conclusion. We did not believe that and we were not ready to stand by and let it happen.”
“This race was won only by boots on the ground, knocking on doors, making phone calls.
“Before the election, I was concerned about the factions within the party. We fought as one. I’m here to tell you today that I have never seen a CCRP as unified as it is today. We need to stand together, fight together, and turn this to Red country. Take this to heart, and take Clark County back to the Republican side!”
Final business was quickly concluded. A unanimous voice vote passed Resolution R-107 to amend a standing rule regarding parliamentary procedure.
CCRCC will meet again in November, where the body will pass rules for the precinct meetings and biennial convention.
