County GOP Presidential Primary Straw Poll Event in July

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2007
Contact: Tom Swatzel (843) 357-1673

GEORGETOWN-The Georgetown County Republican Party has invited all of the GOP presidential primary candidates to participate in a straw poll-barbeque event to be held Saturday, July 28th at the Waccamaw High School auditorium in Pawleys Island.

"Coming right before the big Iowa straw poll, I think presidential candidates, particularly those not participating in Iowa, will be looking for a boost from a win or high placing our poll. South Carolina is very important in that historically, it is the state that chooses the Republican presidential nominee," said Georgetown County Party Chairman Tom Swatzel, Murrells Inlet.

In his letter to the presidential campaigns Swatzel said, "We are excited about the opportunity to expose the Republican slate of presidential candidates to our community, state, and nation, and think it is an excellent opportunity for campaigns to show their organizational strength."

All of the 12 candidates recognized on the state Republican party web site- plus former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, R-Tn., who is expected to formally announce his candidacy in early July- have been invited to the event.

The event will start at 11 a.m. with a barbeque lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Candidates or their representatives will begin speaking at 12:30 p.m. and will be allowed up to 10 minutes each. It is anticipated voting will be conducted at about 3 p.m.

Tickets to participate in the straw poll event are $10 and include the barbeque lunch. Straw poll voters must be at least 18 years old by November 2008. Tickets for children 12 and under are $5. It is anticipated that a number of different activities will be available for families.

Tickets can be purchased at the Pawleys Island Supply, 10460 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island; the Offices of David Hood, 407 Church Street in Georgetown; Capt. Dick's Marina, 4123 Business Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet; or by mail by sending checks to the Georgetown County Republican Party at Post Office Box 1887, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.