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WORLAND — The Washakie County Republican Party is gearing up for their county presidential caucus, county convention and for the annual Lincoln Day fundraising dinner both in March.

The caucus is up first, next Tuesday, with sign-in starting at 6 p.m. at the Worland Community Center. Party Chair Richard Martin said during the sign-in process participants will be checked to verify they are registered as Republicans. Participants must have registered by Feb. 6 per the party’s bylaws when the notice of the caucus was published.

On the agenda, with action beginning at 7:01 p.m., includes party members proposing county and/or state platform changes or additions; proposing resolutions; and proposing county and/or state Republican bylaw changes.

The resolutions, platform changes will be voted on during the county convention on March 31.

The last item of business will the presidential preference poll.

Martin said, “One thing to remember, whether it is a caucus or primary it is simply a presidential preference poll to select delegates for the state convention.”

The caucus and the process to nominate a party’s presidential candidate is “a democratic process I agree with. I just think that it’s great that both parties, Republican and Democrats, have a method that they’ve chosen to give the people a chance to state who they would like. That’s what we are going to do. At our meeting, people have an opportunity to vote on a platform for our county, and platform for changes for the state Republican party.”

While President Donald J. Trump is the clear frontrunner for the Republicans, party members can give support to other candidates. Three candidates are still listed as seeking the nomination — Rocky De La Fuentes, Mark Sanford and Bill Weld.

While only registered Republicans will be able to participate in the process, the public is welcome to come and view the process. Martin said, “People will see us tallying the ballots.”

Martin encourages all registered Republicans in the county to come and participate in the caucus. He said in 2016 there was a low turnout with fewer than 50 people show up. He said he would not like it if the Democratic Party, with fewer registered members in the county, had a stronger turnout.

He would like to see President Trump get more votes in Washakie County than any of the Democratic candidates, but that only happens if people come out and participate.

LINCOLN DAY DINNER

The Washakie County Republican Party’s annual fundraiser, the Lincoln Day Dinner will be March 27 at the Worland Community Center Complex. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier. Meier said in a written statement, “It’s an honor for me to join the Washakie County Wyoming Republican Party for their annual fundraiser. I look forward to talking to the fine folks in Worland and the surrounding area.”

Meier is serving his first term as treasurer, sworn in on Jan. 7, 2019. Prior to that he served in the Wyoming State Senate for 24 years. Through his years of service, Meier has established himself as a champion of the Wyoming and the U.S. constitutions, a strong advocate for the rule of law and a gatekeeper of taxpayer dollars, according to his written statement.

Meier is a graduate of the University of Wyoming, earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He continues to operate his 4,300-acre farm and ranch in LaGrange. His wife, Charlene, retired from teaching in May 2019.

Tickets are on sale now for the dinner at http://www.eventbrite.com. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The county convention will be March 31. More details on the convention will be published at a later date. Delegates to the state convention and nominees for the national convention will be finalized.

The state convention is May 7-9 in Gillette.