Dear editor:

Republican precinct committeemen and committeewomen are grassroots political positions in every precinct across Park County. These people are representatives of, and the closest link between, voters and the Park County GOP.

They meet with their neighbors, listen to issues, get out the vote, and bring issues back to the Central Committee for discussion and debate. Action starts in precincts at the grassroots neighborhood level, goes to the county and then often moves up to the state Republican Party.

They attend monthly GOP Central Committee meetings and receive updates from the local, state and national Republican Party. They introduce and vote on resolutions. Those resolutions potentially become part of the Wyoming Republican Platform and/or get picked up by state lawmakers for bill introduction at a legislative session.

Committee people meet locally, and then at the state level for policy debate and votes in committees, caucuses and conventions.

There are many higher profile elected positions in Park County, but these 80-plus Park County precinct committeemen and committeewomen (in cooperation with 350-plus other committee people across Wyoming) have the power to shape policy, bill, agenda, statute, platform, and the very identity of the Wyoming Republican Party.

There are more precinct committee candidates running this primary, than at any other time in recent memory. Many of these candidates are hard working, principled, dedicated, conservative Republicans. Unfortunately, many others are not. Many others are running to change the identity of the Republican Party, and to move the county and the state further to the left.   

If you are unsure of which precinct you are in, call the courthouse and ask for the elections office.  For a list of precinct committee people up for election this primary go to the Park County Elections website, click on Primary Candidate Filings, and scroll down to the list of Precinct Committee Filings: parkcounty-wy.gov/county-elections/

ALL precinct committeemen and committeewomen will be chosen during the primary election in August. Know who your precinct committee candidates are this election cycle, research what they stand for, and vote on Aug. 18. Park County is worth fighting for.

Karin Richard

Cody