Group sets candidate’s night/GOP caucus

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert County Heart Land Patriots begin their 2016 schedule of activities on Tuesday evening, February 9, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fireside Room of Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St. in Van Wert.  The early starting hour is necessary to accommodate a dual agenda consisting of a primary election Candidates’ Night, paired with a Republican Presidential Caucus.

The evening will begin with any candidate on the March 15 primary ballot here in Van Wert County invited to present their qualifications for office, and face voters’ questions. Each candidate who wants to participate will be given 5 minutes to make their presentations, and then immediately after, the audience will have up to 5 minutes to grill the candidate on specific issues.

Candidates who are facing opposition, as well as those who are unopposed, are both invited to the forum to share their visions with voters. Any candidate wanting to appear should contact the Rev. Keith Stoller at 419.968.2869 to get on the schedule.

Immediately following the candidates’ appearances, the Patriots will host a Van Wert County Republican Presidential Candidate Caucus.

There are 11 Republican presidential candidates on the primary ballot:  Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John R. Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, and Donald J. Trump.

The Patriots encourage enthusiastic supporters to present reasons why they believe their candidate is worthy of support by Ohio voters. No more than three presenters may represent individual candidates. Each presenter will be granted a 3-minute opportunity to “sell” their candidate to the audience. Following all presentations, the Patriots will take a secret-ballot vote, and results will be reported to the audience, all area media, as well as a statewide organization.

Those who want to make presentations on behalf of their favorite candidate will be selected on a first-come, first-chosen basis. Pastor Stoller will greet potential presenters beginning at 6 p.m. outside the Fireside Room to complete the caucus schedule of presenters.

Further information on this vital Patriot meeting may be obtained by contacting Rev. Stoller at the above number.