Food, fun and politics were on the agenda for the first Grand Old Picnic sponsored by the Republican Party of Garland County on Saturday.
The picnic, which was held at the RPGC headquarters at 615 W. Grand Ave., drew a crowd of around 70 people. It was designed to celebrate the candidates who were successful in the recent Republican Primary. Federal, state and local officials, including U.S. Rep Bruce Westerman, R-District 4, attended.
"It was a hot day for Republican politics in Garland County," said RPGC Chair Marcia Albaugh. "I was delighted with the turnout from local leaders and from our Republican community."
Albaugh said that the picnic was possible only with the help of a small army of volunteers who were coordinated by Linda Beber, who managed the event. Albaugh said she plans to hold the picnic annually.
County Judge Darryl Mahoney welcomed about 20 politicians and local leaders who all spoke to the crowd, including Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe and Police Chief Chris Chapmond, Garland County Under Sheriff Jason Lawrence, Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence and Chief Deputy Kara Petro, County Collector Rebecca Dodd Talbert, state Sen. Alan Clark, state Reps. Richard McGrew and Les Warren, State Land Commissioner Tommy Land, state Senate Republican nominee and Justice of the Peace Matt McKee, and Debbie Cozart, who spoke for her husband, state Rep. Bruce Cozart.
Other speakers included Chris Carnahan, a candidate for Arkansas Supreme Court, Justice of the Peace Larry Raney, Dayton Myers, who is unopposed as Justice of the Peace, District 7, Micah Braughton, Republican candidate for Justice of Peace, District 1, Debbie McGrew, who is running unopposed as Justice of the Peace for District 10, Jim Kerr, who is running unopposed in the general election as Constable ā Hot Springs Township, Garland County Election Commissioner Gene Haley and Dudley Webb III, who plans to run for the Hot Springs Board of Directors. Representatives for Sarah Sanders, the Republican candidate for governor, and U.S. Sen. John Boozman also spoke.
On Thursday, the RPGC County Committee held its Biennial County Convention at the Garland County Library where it certified Republican candidates in the May primary and the June 23 runoff. Kathy Edds was elected State Committeewoman and Patrick Ingram was reelected State Committeeman. Stacey Kandlbinder was reelected 4th District Committeewoman and Vernon Gingrich was reelected 4th District Committeeman.
The County Committee also selected delegates and alternates to the Republican Party of Arkansas state meeting in July.
JP Matt McKee, left, is shown with County Judge Darryl Mahoney. - Submitted photo