Boone GOP to host Senate candidates
11/30/2009
HEBRON - The Boone County Republican Party will host three candidates for U.S. Senate at its annual Christmas Gala Saturday .
Secretary of State Trey Grayson of Boone County, Rand Paul of Bowling Green, and Bill Johnson of Elkton will each be allotted about five minutes to speak.
They are running in the May Republican primary for the seat held by Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Southgate, who is not seeking re-election next year.
"Instead of a candidates' forum, this gives people a chance to meet the candidates and hear their issues from them," said Boone GOP Chairman Pat O'Reagan.
The most recent poll in the race shows Grayson and Paul running neck-and-neck, and the rhetoric between them has gotten heated in recent weeks, with each questioning the other's conservative bona fides.
But don't expect fiery stump speeches at the gala: the theme of the evening is party unity, and campaign materials will not be allowed inside the ballroom.
"The focus in the room is the Republican party, not single candidates," O'Reagan said.
In addition to the candidates, U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis of Hebron and Kentucky House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover will speak.
The Christmas gala is the Boone GOP's largest event, drawing hundreds of people from across the region every year, and organizers hope to turn it into a statewide event.
"We're trying to look beyond Boone County and do what's best for the party and the state," O'Reagan said.
Earlier this month, the party donated $1,000 to Republican Jimmy Higdon in his hotly contested Dec. 8 special election for a Central Kentucky state Senate seat.
The Christmas Gala is Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Airport Marriott in Hebron. A reception and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and the speeches begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person, or $25 for College Republicans. Tables of eight are available for $500.
To attend, e-mail Tami Wilson at tjwgop@aol.com.
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