Vernon County delegation runs heavily for Ron Paul

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Persuaded by presidential candidate Ron Paul's positions on the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Reserve and other issues, the Vernon County Republican Party will send a Paul-dominated delegation to the GOP's 4th Congressional District Convention April 21 in Sedalia.

Meeting March 17 at Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center, the local party's post-presidential preference primary caucus ended after 2 1/2 hours with six of its eight delegates pledged to Paul and two to former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.

However, Caucus Secretary Valo Jones said Tuesday that some of the eight alternates to the convention "might be moving up to make it a little bit fairer."

She noted that four of the alternates favor Paul, a Texas congressman, and three Santorum while one backs Newt Gingrich.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who finished second here, got no Vernon County delegates or alternates. "There has been a little badmouthing of me and the way the caucus was handled," said Jones.

"Usually, we have to beg people to go. It was wonderful that people were really interested and went, but this was a difficult learning experience. We surely want to make it equitable for everyone next time."

Jones explained that Santorum's supporters wanted him to be better represented, considering that he won the non-binding Feb. 7 primary in Vernon County and statewide. "The primary didn't count for anything," she said.

"Ron Paul wants to restore the Constitution and investigate the Federal Reserve. He is pro-life and his foreign policy is that we don't go around bullying every other country in the world.

"We're trying to make amends and please everybody. We're all going through the same thing, trying to find someone to run against Obama."

The Paul delegates reported Tuesday are Scott Buerge, Terry Mosher and Dr. Ron and Valo Jones of Nevada, Clay Lyons of Rich Hill and Mike Morris of Moundville. Santorum's Vernon County delegates are Tom Nowak of Nevada and Susanna Cass of Rich Hill.

The alternates for Paul, a Texas congressman, are Priscilla Lyons and Dr. Fred Guenther of Rich Hill and Jawan Thompson and Betty Morris of Moundville. Those lined up for Santorum are Will Tollerton, Ginger Nowak and Matt Webb of Nevada. Gingrich's delegate is Charlotte Buerge of Nevada.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Randles of Kansas City and St. Louis Congressman Todd Akin, a U.S. senatorial candidate, will speak here following a 6 p.m. April 6 Lincoln Day dinner at the community center.

Vernon County Democrats will stage their presidential caucus at 6:30 p.m. March 29 in the Moore-Few Care Center Community Room.

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