Delegate election is March 29
Both parties will decide who will represent Cherokee County at state convention
BY LELAND ACKER

The Cherokee County Courthouse will be swarmed March 29 by delegates to the Democratic and Republican County Conventions. Precinct delegates to the parties' conventions will elect county delegates to represent Cherokee County at the state conventions, as well as approve resolutions to send to state conventions.

"It's not as simple as that, but that is what we'll end up doing," said Democratic Party Chairman Caesar Roy. "We have several resolutions coming out of the precinct caucuses. A few have to do with the Texas Two-Step process, some are complaining

about the delegate process and some support the Neches River National Wildlife refuge."

The caucus and convention system was spotlighted during this year's Presidential Primary as Democratic candidates Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton competed heavily for every delegate possible. Clinton won the primary vote at the polls, but Obama won Cherokee County's Democratic precinct caucuses, with 98 delegates set to vote for him at the county convention as opposed to Mrs. Clinton's 61.

Turnout to the Republican precinct conventions was not as heavy as that of the Democratic caucuses due to the absence of a hotly-contested Presidential primary in the Republican party. Still, party Chairwoman Josie D. Schoolcraft said participation in the convention system increased over previous years.

"We have four precincts in Cherokee County with seven precincts per precinct," she said. "Six of the seven precincts in Precinct 3 had conventions. That is amazing."

Mrs. Schoolcraft said the Republican party will elect delegates to the state Republican Convention and consider resolutions to approve.

"We have resolutions on how property is appraised (for tax purposes) and outof control spending," she said. "Everyone is invited to the county convention, but only delegates can vote."

The Republican county convention will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 in the county courtroom at the county courthouse. The Democratic county convention will be at 10 a.m. March 29 in the district courtroom at the Cherokee County courthouse.