Lake Oconee GOP Convention Last Saturday

Movie-goers, however, might have been surprised to see Republican candidates taking their hot races to the Spotlight Theatre in Greensboro in a GOP primary convention unprecedented in the Lake Country.


With more than an estimated 10,000 Republican voters in Putnam and Greene counties and 37 GOP candidates running in Georgia’s July 20 primary election, Lake Country’s GOP party leaders decided to use the theater as a venue for candidates to showcase what they have to offer area voters. The event was organized by brian Burdette, GOP Chairman of Greene County.

Nobody was keeping an official count of the convention turnout, but estimates range from a conservative 500-600 people to nearly 1,000 during the five-hour convention. Voters heard from each candidate seeking the GOP nomination in statewide races for such seats as governor, senator, state row offices and commissioners of state departments.



Burdette said area GOP committee leaders had never tried to hold a statewide convention of sorts on a county level. “But,” he wrote in a follow-up report to committee people, “because of the support and enthusiasm of conservatives throughout the tri-county area and the 10th (Congressional) District, we were able to gather 92 percent (34 of 37) of all GOP candidates running.

Greene County GOP recruited area businesses to make use of the captured audience and exhibit information about their enterprises. By selling exhibit space and other promotional perks to 25 businesses, the Greene County party was able to pay for the convention, said Burdette. The GOP Committee offered a price range of promotional packages to businesses, starting at $350 for one week of commercials on Plantation Cable TV, 10 radio spots on Dock 103, a booth at the convention and a mention in the event’s program. Burdette said feedback from the businesses about their return-on-investment was positive.

Burdette said area GOP committee leaders had never tried to hold a statewide convention of sorts on a county level. “But,” he wrote in a follow-up report to committee people, “because of the support and enthusiasm of conservatives throughout the tri-county area and the 10th (Congressional) District, we were able to gather 92 percent (34 of 37) of all GOP candidates running.

Impressive!