The Republican Party of the Eighth District in North Carolina held their yearly convention at the new Union County Ag and Conference Center outside Monroe.

Political conventions are an important aspect of the political process and are essential functions for the parties at the grass roots level to help give the base constituencies access to the system that is the foundation for elections across the country each year.

The Eighth District Republican Executive Committee decided several issues including appointing convention officers, reporting Credentials and Rules for the district, presenting a resolution of respect, securing delegates to represent the district at the state convention, and adopted the State Plan of Organization that was certified in March in Raleigh.

Richmond County Republican Party Vice Chairman Lee P. Butler was a member of the state plan of organization party platform committee that reviewed, updated and appropriated the plan of organization. He also attended the convention, representing Richmond County along with District 66 State House candidate David Browder.

Several candidates, including David Browder, also addressed the crowd concerning their candidacies, while everyone enjoyed a catered meal.

Special guest speakers at the event were North Carolina Republican Party Vice Chairman Linda Daves, NCGOP Representative Chris McClure, and United States 8th District Congressman Robin Hayes who spoke and took questions about several hot topic issues that have ballooned recently on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.