Thompson Committee Commits to County GOP Straw Poll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2007
Contact: Tom Swatzel (843) 357-1673

GEORGETOWN, SC--Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Tom Swatzel announced on Thursday that a member of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson's presidential exploratory committee met with him in Murrells Inlet on Wednesday to discuss the party's upcoming July 28th straw poll event and committed that either Senator Thompson or a significant surrogate would participate in the event.

"By sending a high ranking member of the Thompson committee from Tennessee to Murrells Inlet, it's clear that Senator Thompson views the Georgetown County straw poll event and our voters as very important. I am very impressed with the professionalism of the Thompson organization and believe that when Fred Thompson actually becomes an announced presidential candidate he will do well in both the county and state," Swatzel said.

All of the 12 presidential candidates recognized on the state Republican party web site- plus Thompson, who is expected to formally announce his candidacy at any time-have been invited to the event, which will be held in the Waccamaw High School auditorium in Pawleys Island.

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 and have a South Carolina driver's license. Tickets for children 12 and under are $5.