Last weekend was the Georgia Republican Party state convention, and both Columbia and Richmond counties had delegates in attendance.
For Joe Edlemon, the chair of the Columbia County Republican Party, it was his first time attending the state convention, so he didn’t know what to expect.
“There was a lot of excitement,” Edlemon said. “I think some of that was because we knew there was going to be new leadership and I think some of that was because of all the anticipation of all the great speakers that were there. There were just really good speakers at this year’s state convention, including President Trump. That in itself generated a lot of excitement too.”
However, for Steve Sanders, the chair of the Richmond County Republican Party, this was the third state convention he attended, with the first two back in 2016 and 2017 when they were in Augusta. But this one was bigger than those.
“It was packed,” Sanders said. “I think it was the largest state convention they’ve ever had, over 2,000 delegates, and it was really cool. Just a great experience. A lot of good speakers. Congressman (Rick) Allen, our congressman, gave a great speech, one of the best speeches I think I’ve ever heard him give.”
Edlemon added that he believes the Republican Party is starting to see more people from the grassroots perspective getting involved. In fact, he said there were a lot first time attendees at the convention.
“So, you know the added excitement there, the opportunities to network with individuals we haven’t really met across the state in-person,” Edlemon said. “Then there were training opportunities for and education opportunities for the attendees there as well. It was just a really great experience.”
While at the convention, Sanders said he attended different committee meetings, was able to talk to Josh McKoon and other officers, listen to speeches and vote for the board. He added that the convention had a Columbia County connection with Barry Fleming as the chair of the convention.
“I was able to participate in the caucus meeting for the over 80,000 population counties,” Sanders said. “There are 32 counties in the state that have population of over 80,000, so all of those county chairs were there at that meeting. Then some leadership meetings and some outreach meetings and then the speeches on the convention floor.”
As for his favorite part of the weekend, Edlemon said it was hard to pick one thing, but he enjoyed listening to all the different speakers, including President Donald Trump, who he described as “amazing.”
“There were so many things that went into my excitement there it’s really hard to nail down one,” Edlemon said. “But it was just a great opportunity. I got to bond with some of the people in my county I don’t get to talk to a whole lot either as well as neighboring counties as well. It was just awesome. It was a great time.”
For Sanders his favorite part of the weekend was being there with people who think the same way he does and want to make changes.
“There was sort of a narrative that had kind of been put out there, and the AJC (Atlanta Journal Constitution) really was kind of a big part of it, that the party is divided into different factions,” Sanders said. “You know, almost everybody who spoke, and certainly I think everybody who was elected as officers talked a lot about unity and how we’re actually more unified and together on a lot of things than maybe it seems sometimes.”
When it came time to vote on the board, delegates elected Josh McKoon (chairman), Jason Thompson (national committeeman), Ginger Howard (national committeewoman), Brian Pritchard (first vice chairman), David Cross (second vice chairman), Caroline Jeffords (secretary), Suzi Voyles, (assistant secretary), Laurie McClain (treasurer), Jenny Eckman (assistant treasurer), Salleigh Grubbs (over 80K chair) and Kathy Hurley (under 80K chair).
“I look forward to working with the state party,” Edlemon said. “I got to meet quite a few of them over the last month or so. I personally have a relationship with pretty much every single one of our candidates that got nominated, which is great. That gives us here in Columbia County that gives us a voice to the state.”
Edlemon said Columbia County had 50 people in attendance, 49 delegates and one guest, out of the allotted 51 delegates. For Richmond County, Sanders said they had 14 delegates.
Edlemon plans to go to future convention, stating he learned a lot while there.
“I personally got a lot of benefit out of it,” Edlemon said. “I think that benefit would be reflected through the broader Columbia County Party in general.”
Sanders said the convention takes place every odd year and when there’s a presidential election, so there should be another one in 2024.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
