Web posted
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Cowley Dems to caucus Tuesday
By DAVE SEATON
Winfield Publishing
Democrats in the 32nd Kansas Senate district, which includes Cowley and Sumner Counties, will caucus here on "Super Tuesday," Feb. 5.
Voters at the caucus will choose delegates pledged to presidential candidates. The delegates will go to a 4th District convention in Wichita April 12 at a site as yet undetermined.
Republicans in Cowley and Sumner counties will caucus Feb. 11 in Belle Plaine. Their votes for presidential candidates will go directly to state party headquarters in Topeka, Corrie Kangas, state GOP political director, said.
Kansas Republicans are not holding district caucuses this primary season.
Cowley County Republicans decided last fall to concentrate on fundraising and a platform process, rather than hold their own caucus, Cowley GOP chair Jim Talley said.
Todd Moore, Cowley County Democratic chair, urged voters to come early to the First Christian Church, East Ninth at Alexander. The caucus begins at 7 p. m.
"This is democracy at it's finest," Moore said. "The Legislature didn't deem a primary and this is what we've got ... to make our voices heard." Moore added the caucus would "take some time."
The Democratic caucus is open to voters who want to register at the site. Moore encouraged voters who want to register or change their registration to come by 6:30 p. m.
The Republican caucus is open only to registered Republicans.
Ray La Boeuf, Sumner County GOP chair, encouraged voters to come to the Belle Plaine High School, 822 North Merchant, by 9:30 a. m. The caucus opens at 10 a.m.
La Boeuf said supporters of candidates would be allowed to put up campaign material at the site and speak on behalf of their candidates. The GOP caucus is scheduled to end at 2 p.m.
Democrats will vote by gathering in one spot, Moore said.
Candidates who have registered and paid their fees in Kansas include Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson, according to state Democratic field director Matt Anderson.
Democrats may vote for any of these candidates or vote "uncommitted," Anderson said.
Republicans will vote by ballot, La Boeuf said.
All seven candidates registered in Kansas will be on the ballot, Kangas said. The Republican candidates include Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Ron Paul, Fred Thompson and Alan Keys.
The outcomes of both parties' caucuses will be proportional.
For more information contact Moore at (620) 229-6000 or (620) 229-8086. La Boeuf can be reached at (620) 253 6750.
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