Local GOP leaders attend event, prepare for 2014 elections

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By Barbara Rawlings

Special to The SUN

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) hosted their 37th biennial Convention in Louisville, Ky., Sept 19-22.

Local residents joined more than 1,275 other Republican women leaders from across the nation. The focus of the convention was leadership training in preparation for the 2014 midterm elections.

Attending from Archuleta County were Barbara Rawlings, Marilyn Harris and Robin Schiro. Attending from La Plata County were Elaine Johnson, Pat Wainwright and Ginny Chambers. Rebecca Bryant, granddaughter of Pat Wainwright, represented Colorado as a page.

During the four-day event, which was one of the largest national gatherings of Republicans this year, registrants participated in a series of leadership training seminars in the areas of outreach, community, campaigns, fund-raising and message development by nationally-recognized experts. They heard from Republican leaders, elected officials and other notable guests, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day and noted filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza.

“The speakers were excellent,” said delegate Rawlings. “Dinesh D’Souza and his positive message about America was especially good.”

Founded in 1938, the NFRW has thousands of active members in local clubs across the nation and in several U. S. Territories, making it one of the largest women’s political organizations in the country. The grassroots organization works to promote the principles and objectives of the Republican Party, elect Republican candidates, inform the public through political education and activities and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.