Young GOP group creates chapter in Tippecanoe

By Kurt Esposito
Summer Editor

The Tippecanoe Young Republicans held a dinner Saturday night to celebrate their installation into the national organization.

"Young Republicans are really gifted in helping with young people who are first time voters, who are new to the system or who are not familiar with the system," said Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.

Lugar gave the keynote address at a kick-off meeting and dinner for the organization, whose guests included Rep. Brian Kerns, R-Ind., and Republican office holders from the county.

He talked about how vital the organization is to the Republican party and related it to his days as a Young Republican, where he helped out by polling voters and at the age of 20 coordinated a visit from then future President Dwight Eisenhower.

He said the organization is especially important after last year's election when many Americans did not show a lot of enthusiasm toward politics.

"That's not good ever going into presidential elections, senate elections and governatorial elections," he said.

He said members of the group are able to work in individual precincts to motivate people to vote.

"They have the personal touch to encourage voters," Lugar said.

Dan McDonald, state chairman for the organization, said the organization is beneficial to the Grand Old Party because they do all the grunt work such as licking envelopes and knocking on doors. However, he said, it is work that is necessary.

Lugar said the group provides many opportunities for members, allowing them to network with older GOP members, which provides the opportunity to move through the ranks of the party.

The dinner was also highlighted with a letter read by office manager Kathy Shedd-Czech from President George Bush praising and congratulating the organization for its installation.

Gib Chew, first vice chair of Tippecanoe County Young Republicans, said the group has 28 members. "I'd like to see us grow," he said. "To see what needs to be done and how we can go about doing it."

He said the group will soon start door to door and phone campaigning in preparation for upcoming elections.

Lugar said it is important that the group is starting out in a non-major election year, because it gives them a chance to prepare for next year's election.

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