Conservative activists and elected officials from across the state will gather in Springfield this weekend for the Missouri GOP’s Lincoln Days festivities. KSMU's Theresa Bettmann has more.
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The three day event takes place at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention center beginning Friday night with a reception dinner. Matt Wills is the direction of communications for the Missouri Republican party. He says this is a chance to celebrate accomplishments and highlight party goals.
"Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and State Auditor Thomas Schweich are going to join John Diehl [House majority floor leader] who will be emceeing our 'Kickoff to Victory 2014' Friday night in Springfield. Joining them is going to be Congressman [Blaine] Luetkemeyer, Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Congressman Billy Long and Congressman Jason Smith," Wills says.
Several forums are scheduled on Saturday including topics like Right to Work and Common Core. Wills says a member of the council leading the fight with Hobby Lobby against Obamacare is also speaking on Saturday.
RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day will speak to the Missouri Federation of Republican Women at a Saturday luncheon, addressing women in politics and the upcoming election and beyond.
"Saturday night we have U.S. Senator Rand Paul coming in speaking at the Missouri Association of Republican's annual banquet," says Wills.
Although he is growing his national profile toward the 2016 presidential election, Rand Paul will be focusing on the upcoming fall elections, Wills says. He explains the GOP's hope is to work toward maintaining their majority in the Missouri House and Senate.
The annual Lincoln Daysevent rotates among the state’s three largest cities. According to the Missouri GOP, this year Lincoln Days marks its 115th anniversary.
