Republicans flock to Sandpoint

SANDPOINT - If you listen closely, you will hear the thundering sound of 1,000 Republicans entering Sandpoint en masse.

The occasion responsible for drawing party faithful from every corner of the state is the Idaho GOP Convention, which begins today at the Bonner County Fairgrounds and continues through Saturday afternoon.

To earn the right to host the event, Sandpoint faced off against Lewiston at the Republican winter meeting. After a presentation from Bonner County Republican Secretary Dan Young, Sandpoint was given host city honors.

The convention brings nearly 300 county delegates, 300 alternate delegates, their spouses and a hodgepodge of elected officials to North Idaho to help determine the party's platform and choose delegates for the national convention in Minneapolis, Minn., this September.

Hosting an event the magnitude of the GOP convention could put a strain on anyone, but Bonner County Republican Chairman Verna Brady is taking it in stride.

“We're not nervous at all,” Brady said. “We have everything in order and we have great committee chairs.”

Brady said the event will be a boon for the local economy, notably in the hotel and restaurant industries.

“We purposly didn't plan any dinners, so people can sample our wonderful restaurants,” Brady said.

Those interested in attending the convention are welcome listen to speeches and watch meetings, but no participation will be allowed.

Tickets, which are $50 and allow access to all events, are available at the fairgrounds.

Highlighting the convention will be keynote speeches from Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and former Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont. Burns will speak at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, and Otter will speak at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are available at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.