EDITOR:
As a candidate for re-election to the Platte County Republican Central Committee (PCRCC), I have been walking and talking to many friends and neighbors about the upcoming August elections. During conversations with these individuals, I learned that most people do not know the purpose of the county central committees. Therefore, in this letter I would like to explain that purpose.
Each county across our nation has a Republican and a Democrat Central Committee. Members are elected to serve for two years. Our county committee is made up of 14 legislative sub-districts, and there are a committeeman and woman for each sub-district. These positions only show up on your ballot if there has been more than one person signing up to run. These positions, although elected, are unpaid volunteer positions.
There are no term limits, and it is beneficial to other candidates and the parties to have persons with experience in these positions. These positions are never term-limited. Term limits are usually for elected politicians who receive an actual paycheck funded by the taxpayers.
In my case, the purpose of the PCRCC is to foster loyalty to the Republican Party; to promote its principles; and to recruit, support, assist, and elect Republican candidates. To achieve this purpose, it is important that committee members are familiar with all local and state by-laws, know how to legally raise money for candidates, know the Republican voters in his/her sub-district, and know the correct procedures for running campaigns.
Other duties include knocking doors disseminating voter information, standing at the polls, participating with candidates in parades, and hosting fundraisers.
I hope this letter was both informative and helpful to the public to know what a county central committee’s purpose is and what is required of an elected committeeman or woman.
--Janet Stark
Current PCRCC
13-2 Committeewoman
Platte City