Chairman Bradley Lewon called the June 4 meeting to order at the Pierce Lied Public Library. Nate Codr led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Chairman Lewon reported on events at the state convention. General Mike Flynn was the keynote speaker. A break-out of the party’s three state districts was held to discuss choosing each district’s representatives, and the representatives were selected for District 3.
President Trump’s team sent a slate card of his selections for state and national committee candidates. This slate passed as a general consensus. One resolution that passed was the censure of State Senator Rieppe because of his reversal on the Heartbeat Bill. One amendment that passed was not of major significance, but it will require an amendment of the Pierce County party’s constitution. Lewon said he and Bob Christiansen will work on this and get back to the group for final approval.
Lisa Linville reported on a meeting she attended with representatives from Cedar, Antelope, Knox and Holt counties. The group is making plans to distribute a petition to replace election machines with hand counting at the precinct level. Senator Barry DeKay has agreed to take these petitions to the Unicameral to show the support of local citizens of these measures.
Will Douglas gave a report on voter turnout. Registrations have increased by nearly 1,000 in Pierce County during the past 14 years, but voter turnout with the exceptions of 2020 and 2022 has declined in Nebraska. In this state, 605,466 voters are registered Republican, and 330,657 are Democrat. Current data on elections is now only available at the state level. Amy Codr reported on her committee’s work on slate cards. A decision was made to focus efforts locally since primaries have concluded.
In local county races, only Plainview and Pierce have contested school board and city council races. The committee developed questionnaires to send to candidates to aid the committee in choosing a slate.
A forum sponsored by the Pierce County GOP will be held in each community. The Plainview forum is scheduled to be held on June 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Plainview Library. The Pierce Forum is scheduled for June 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pierce Library.
Pierce County GOP members were encouraged to attend the forums. Members will vote to endorse can- didates for these offices at the July meeting. The slate card will then be distributed at the Pierce County Fair.
Chairman Lewon adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, July 2, at 7 p.m. at the Pierce Library.
