Republicans select delegates, discuss platform at county conventions

MARENGO - Iowa Republicans on Saturday continued a process that began during the Jan. 3 precinct caucuses, selecting delegates and discussing the party's platform during county conventions around the state.

“It's important for our voice to be heard,” said Larry Wilson of Grinnell, who was taking part in the county conventions.

Rep. Dawn Pettengill of Mount Auburn said hailing from a rural county isn't always easy.

“When you are up against a Linn or a Polk, or one of the bigger counties, they have the advantage of a lot of delegates,” Pettengill said.

David Maxwell of Gibson said people from the smaller counties have to represent a wide variety of constituencies.

“If we don't work together, we won't get anything done,” he said. “We have to represent rural businesses, and our local schools, churches, as well as the farmers.”

Delegates selected Saturday will go on to the district convention on April 21, and delegates chosen in April will go on to the state convention June 16.

Republicans on Saturday also discussed what they think are the important issues for the party.

“The biggest issues will be government spending and maybe Second Amendment rights, and infringement on our freedom,” Maxwell said.

While the discussion centered on state issues, national politics were also in the spotlight. Rick Santorum barely edged Mitt Romney during the Jan. 3 caucuses, and the two are still battling it out nationally.

“I'm hoping that Santorum will still be in, in June, and he will have that delegate force,” Pettengill said.

Other Republicans said they are unhappy with how the candidates are handling the pressure.

“It's really too bad that we as Republicans have to destroy ourselves,” Maxwell said.

After Saturday's county conventions, delegates are one step closer to the chance to be one of Iowa's 28 delegates at the National Republican Party Convention in Tampa in August. Iowa is a non-binding state, which means delegates can choose whichever candidate they want to support, regardless of how the state voted.

“This is the first start in the process of grass roots politics,” Wilson said of Saturday's conventions. “Especially as it pertains to the state of Iowa and where we would like to see the Republican Party go.”