MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Republican Party held a grand opening Wednesday of its GOP Election Headquarters, as local party members, past and present office holders, and current candidates commemorated the occasion with conversation, short speeches and a champagne toast.
The headquarters, located on South Main Street adjacent to The Alcove Restaurant, will be staffed by volunteers during the lunch hour, from 11 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m, said Knox County Republican party chairman Lou Petros, and hopefully around the dinner hour, maybe from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. He anticipates the headquarters will also be open on weekends during festivals and other events such as the farmers market. Individuals stopping in will be able to get signs and campaign information, and may also call Petros with any questions.
Matt Benefeld will serve as headquarters manager and coordinator of the local campaign volunteer effort. After introductory remarks and acknowledgments by Petros, Benefeld addressed the assembly. He reminded them that some people are saying this election is going to decide the fate of the state, the country, the nation and the people as a whole.
That may be correct, he said, but misses the point, which is “every election decides our fate.”
“That’s our right. Every four years we get to change our fate. We’re one of the few countries that can say that,” he said.
Benefeld encouraged the group to maintain its spirit of togetherness, volunteering and Republican ideals — and to sign up to help with the election.
Keynote speaker for the event was Fred Dailey, candidate for the 18th Congressional district. He talked about the key issues of the current campaign, which include jobs, the economy and energy, and outlined the Dailey energy plan. He also reminded the audience of the main principles of the Republican Party, and prompted attendees to take part in the political process.
“It’s people at the local level that win elections,” Dailey said, concluding with a quote from Ronald Reagan: ‘We’re either one nation under God or one nation going under.’”
Mike Crites, Republican candidate for Ohio Attorney General, was unable to attend the opening as expected. He was called to join presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Dublin.
