The Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention was held in La Crosse on May 1-3. Attending from Dunn County were Delegates Barbara Black, Charles and Maripat Krueger, Helen Larrabee, Susan Norman, Richard and Diane Rust and Jerry Schutts.
According to Republican Party of Dunn County Chairman, Richard Rust, the weekend activities began with a Friday night reception in the Radisson Ballroom, hosted by Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman, Reince Priebus. The highlight of the evening was a speech by Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele, who welcomed over 800 enthusiastic delegates to the convention. Steele energized the crowd with his message that the Republican Party will once again become the party of the people if we remain true to our conservative principals of smaller government, lower taxes, family values, personal responsibility, and treasuring the value of all human life.
The convention was officially opened Saturday morning by Convention Chairman, State Senator Dan Kapanke, of La Crosse. As Chairman of the Credentials Committee 3rd District Chairman, Maripat Krueger of Menomonie presented Delegate credentials to the convention floor. She was also elected Chairman of the State District Committee which serves the eight Congressional Districts of Wisconsin. A number of State Republican leaders addressed the assembly, such as current Attorney General J.B, Van Hollen, Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, US Congressmen James Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri, and Paul Ryan, Chairman of the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans Lora Rae Anderson, and Republican candidate for Governor Scott Walker, who currently serves as Milwaukee County Executive. Following passage of party resolutions the business meeting was adjourned.
Conservative syndicated talk show host Jason Lewis, self-described as "America's Mr. Right", served as guest speaker at the County Chairman's banquet on Saturday evening. Susan Norman, Dunn County Vice chairman agreed with Lewis' position that, uncontrolled government spending will not bring our nation out of this economic recession. Only by allowing the free market to work will we see true recovery without government control of the nation's industries and financial institutions.
The Republican Party of Dunn County was a recipient of the Wisconsin Award, given to counties that demonstrated outstanding achievement in areas of membership and activities during 2008. Accepting the award from RPW Chairman, Reince Priebus, was Richard Rust.
Convention activities concluded with a prayer breakfast held at the Radisson Hotel on Sunday morning.
