(La Porte, IN) - Republicans nationwide are optimistic about their chances in upcoming elections. Here locally the party of Lincoln seems, to some, to be a house divided. Yet on Sunday Republicans were waxing their political surfboards for what they’re predicting will be a “red wave.” Party leaders invited the public to a meet-and-greet of candidates on Sunday afternoon at the La Porte County Fairgrounds.
Local party chair Allen Stevens said the turnout was strong, especially among non-rank-and-file members who just wanted to find out more about the candidates. “It wasn’t typical party membership,” Stevens said. “It was your everyday Republican voters that don’t necessarily participate in party functions. But the base is energized this year, and we can tell by the number of non-traditional ‘party’ members that showed up. It was a lot of the general public, just fired-up conservative base.”
Stevens introduced the candidates and encouraged those in attendance to ask tough questions.
Ryan Richards of La Porte was one of those inquiring minds who came to the fairgrounds with a list of concerns. “I just want to be informed, instead of just guessing.” he said. “I wanted to make sure I had the correct information.” Richards said he has been listening to podcasts of “Sound Off” from 96.7 the Eagle but wanted to ask the candidates about certain things in person.
For Richards, the issue of a bypass to alleviate traffic through La Porte is a big concern. “Connie Gramarossa has the most say, I suppose, so I asked her about that,” he said. “We talked probably for at least ten or fifteen minutes, and I got all her views. I felt what I heard was more than adequate, and she had an interesting perspective on it.”
Richards says he is a registered Republican, but doesn’t vote strictly along party lines.
Mostly local Republican candidates were in attendance, but Indiana Secretary of State candidate Diego Morales also made the trip up to La Porte for Sunday’s event. Morales said he will be touring La Porte County again next weekend.
