We have so many loyal and hardworking Republican activists and voters throughout Nevada. The individuals on this list will proudly reflect our desire to remain a “red state” this election and support John McCain in his campaign. In addition, we will be proudly traveling with a Nevada-based POW from Sparks, Bill Elander, who, like Senator McCain, spent time at the Hanoi Hilton.

There are many important issues facing Nevadans, such as our economy and jobs, the future of our health care industry, energy independence, and, of course, with our critically sensitive matters of foreign affairs.

In the end, I believe Nevadans agree that the path to prosperity now is as important as it was a quarter century ago, when Ronald Reagan advocated for peace through strength, lower taxes on our workers and businesses, and free-market principles to encourage ingenuity, economic growth, improved consumer goods and lower prices. This election, all of those same issues are up for grabs, and I believe Nevadans will help elect Senator John McCain as our next President.

The Republican delegates and alternates who will be representing Nevada at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St.Paul next month are:

Danny Tarkanian
Lynn Weidner
Victor Chaltiel
Michele Beard
Fely Quitevis
Barbara Scoville
Barbara Cegavske
Bruce Woodbury
Toni Valdez
Patrick Moir*
Betty Rumford*
Alison Edwards*
Howard Hirsch*
Helen Glenn*
Maren Young*
Chris Comort*
Roger Jones*
Brent Lovett*
Andy Abboud
Kathy Burke
Ty Cobb
Carol Del Carlo
Brittney Evans
Gloria Fine
Heidi Gansert
Paul Jackson
Reece Keener
Brian Krolicki
Elie Lopez-Bowlan
Lorraine Marshall
Steve Martin
Bill Elander
Swadeep Nigam
Mrs. Sharon Petty
Roy Roseberry
Heidi Smith
Robert Uithoven
Barbara Lee-Woollen
Bernie Zadrowski
Valerie Pachulski
Bobbie Haseley*
Ulli Miyashiro*
Monica Moradkhan*
Peggy Gray*
Franklin Steinberg*
Alfred Fasano*
Lisa Laughlin*
Sue Kemper*
Norman Yeager*
Serena Goldstock*
Meih Herbert*
William Campbell*
Marjorie Jones-Reeder*
Thomas Cornell*
Terri Coronado-Dunn*
Lori Doyle*
Jo-Anne Doxey*
Daniel Hickey*
Ross Kohlmoos*
Christine DeCorte*
Edwin Helfman*
Jack Woodcock*
Sue Lowden
Beverly Willard
Joe Brown

* Alternates

Congressmen Jon Porter and Dean Heller are doing their part by returning to Capitol Hill to push for a balanced energy bill. Fortunately, they are responding to working Nevadans who are fed up with high gas prices and the arrogant inaction by the Democrats in Congress.

Nevada’s tourism-based economy is being crippled by Senator Reid’s failure to address the high costs of fuel. Right now tourists visiting Nevada are arriving with less discretionary money to spend and many more are just staying home. This is due directly to the high cost of transportation fuels and the impact it has on the budgets of working families and businesses.

So, unless Harry Reid can provide solar, geothermal or wind-powered cars and airplanes for our potential guests to use on their next vacation to Nevada, we hope he will do what is right and work with Congressmen Porter and Heller to reconvene Congress and pass a meaningful and balanced energy bill.

Congratulations and many thanks to Chair Sue Lowden and the Nevada GOP Executive Board for not being afraid to do the job they were elected to do. They did not hide or back down when threaten by the ‘Ron Paul’ backers who evidently want this country to have a Democratic resident in the White House.

The excuses given by many of the ‘Ron Paul’ backers at the April State Convention were excuses given by little children to hide the fact that they did not take responsibility for themselves. “I did not receive my letter in the mail therefore I did not get to submit a resume that I wanted to be considered a delegate to the National Convention.”

I, personally, do not know how many times I heard or read that the letters had been sent out and that if YOU DID NOT RECEIVE ONE, contact the State Office immediately. These same people were at the January caucus, the County Convention and that same information - watch for your letter and if you do not receive it contact the State Office immediately - was given out again and again!

Appointing our delegates was the best course of action to take and we are excited to see so many first time delegates. We had every hope to reconvene the State Convention but feel strongly the nominating committee has chosen a wide range of delegates who will make our party proud.

The nominating committee was chaired by Doug Matthews, a longtime party volunteer from Douglas County. The criteria used for applicants involved maintaining a fair balance throughout the state, service to the party, prominent political recommendations, and military service. Applicants were not asked which candidate they support.

Our volunteer committee worked tirelessly and we’d like to thank them for their time and dedication to the party. We are excited about Nevada’s delegation to this year’s convention and we can now focus on keeping Nevada red this November.

National Committeeman Joe Brown, Committeewoman Beverly Willard, and Chairman Sue Lowden are automatic delegates under RNC rules. The remaining delegates appointed by the board will be contacted over the next week and submitted to the RNC for approval. Nevada has 34 delegates to the National Convention and 31 alternates.

“The Nevada Republican Party is pleased with the judge’s ruling,” stated David O’Mara, the Nevada Republican Party’s attorney. “The Court understands that it does not have jurisdiction to interfere with the political party’s constitutional right to make its own rules and decide who will be a delegate to its national convention. The proper place to air Plaintiffs’ concerns is at the National Republican Party Convention and the Court has agreed.”

“The events surrounding the election of the Nevada Republican Party’s delegates to the Republican National Convention, and the lawsuit that followed is a first time experience for the Republican Party of Nevada,” stated Nevada Republican Party Executive Director Zachary Moyle. “The party did everything that it could to reconvene the State convention. We look forward to working with Plaintiffs to elect Republicans at the local, state and federal level this election cycle and in the future.”

If we squeeze the taxpayers any further, we will not have the ability to provide our state with the revenues it needs to fund our essential services. If Nevadans are not working, they are not generating income. If they are not generating income, they are unable to spend money and pay taxes. Worse, they become more dependent on government programs at a time revenues are already down.

During these difficult times, it would send a horrible and defeating message to provide our state employees with a nearly 10 percent pay increase, while others are losing their homes, health care and jobs. We have to do all we can to ensure that we fight our way out of these times together, so that we can once again all share in the prosperity Nevada knows best. That prosperity has been felt throughout Nevada over the last several decades with enormous population growth, job growth, improved quality of life and affordability for new families to arrive, work, prosper and retire here.

Now is not the time to make matters worse for our taxpayers by unfairly and irresponsibly benefitting the government employees who work for them. Now is the time for our leaders to show working families just where they stand. It’s ‘put-up or shut-up’ time for our state leaders, and hardworking families will be watching.”

As for the party bylaws, Article 4, Section 2 discusses “Special Meetings,” under which the June 28 meeting would arguably fall. The bylaws stipulate that such special meetings may be called by the Chairman, a majority of the Executive Committee members, or 1/3 of the members of the Nevada Republican Central Committee. None of these entities are involved in the unauthorized meeting being proposed for June 28th.

Furthermore, Article 4, Section 3 stipulates that the “call” for any such special meetings “shall be mailed to all members via conventional mail - unless a member has authorized, in writing, notice by e-mail only - to all members at least 45 (forty-five) days prior to the meeting.” This, too, has not been done by those promoting the June 28 meeting.

Arguably, some might suggest that reconvening the convention doesn’t fall within the category of “Special Meetings;” however, Article 3, Section 2 of the bylaws clearly states that the Nevada Republican Central Committee has the sole authority “To set the time and place and to issue the call for the State Convention.”

The party, through its Executive Committee and as authorized by the bylaws, has set the date, time and place for re-convening the State Convention for July 26, 2006. The unauthorized meeting some convention delegates are attempting to conduct on June 28th does not comply with the party’s bylaws, not to mention Nevada Revised Statutes. In fact, NRS 293.150 specifically states:

“The delegates elected to the state convention of each major political party by the several county conventions of that party shall convene on such respective dates as the state central committees of the parties designate in each year in which the general election is to be held, at the State Capital, or at such other place in the State as the state central committee of that party designates.”

Once again, NRS stipulates that the state central committee has the power and authority to convene a state convention. There is no authority for a handful of convention delegates to do so on their own. In addition, NRS 293.163 stipulates the following:

“In presidential election years…but one state convention shall be held on such respective dates and at such places as the state central committee of the party shall designate. If no earlier dates are fixed, the state convention shall be held 30 days before the date set for the national convention…”

Once again, the central committee is recognized as the sole authority with the power and responsibility to set the time and place of the state convention. Furthermore, NRS specifically states that only ONE STATE CONVENTION SHALL BE HELD. The Nevada Republican Central Committee has set the time and place to reconvene our convention on July 26, 2008. By law, no secondary state convention can be authorized; therefore, any business conducted at any other “convention” would be null and void.

And for the record, re-convening on July 26, 2008, fulfills the requirement that our state convention “be held 30 days before the date set for the national convention.”

Some have argued that re-convening that state convention is, in fact, an “additional state convention,” by which NRS 293.150 would apply:

“The state central committee of each major political party may convene additional state conventions of its party at such times and places as it designates during the period between the state conventions, as provided in subsection 1, and the next ensuing precinct meetings, as provided in NRS 293.135. The composition of the delegates at those conventions must be the same as that certified pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 293.140.”

Once again, the power to convene such “additional state conventions” rests with the central committee. However, this chapter of NRS raises yet another salient point. Whether one re-convenes the previous state convention, or calls for an additional state convention, “composition of the delegates at those conventions must be the same.”

The fact is, only the Credentials Committee of the original April 26, 2008, state convention possesses the authorized list of convention delegates. Any unauthorized meeting of convention delegates - as the June 28th meeting would certainly be – could not possibly assure that the composition of the delegates at the unauthorized meeting complies with NRS, as the organizers of such this unauthorized meeting will not have a copy of the official list of credentialed delegates.

Without the ability to verify whether or not those attending the unauthorized meeting are credentialed delegates, it would be impossible to determine if a true quorum existed. And absent a quorum, no official business may be transacted. Which means any “election” of delegates to the national convention which might take place at the unauthorized meeting would be null and void and the Republican National Committee would refuse to seat such delegates in Minneapolis.

In case there’s any doubt about this, NRS 293.163 stipulates the following:

“In addition to such powers granted it, the state convention shall select the necessary delegates and alternates to the national convention of the party…”

This statute is consistent with Rule 15 of the Republican National Committee (RNC) rules regarding the election of delegates to the national convention. Paragraph (c)(1) states that “Delegates and alternate delegates to the national convention may be elected…by primary election; by the Republican state committee;…(or) by state…conventions.” Additionally, paragraph (d)(1) clearly and unambiguously states that “state conventions shall be called by the Republican state committee.”

Clearly, the Nevada Republican Central Committee and ONLY the Nevada Republican Central Committee is authorized to “call” the state convention to convene or reconvene. However, should the official reconvened convention not attain a quorum, please note that RNC rules also clearly recognize that the Nevada Republican Central Committee - through its Executive Board as per the party’s bylaws – would be authorized to select the delegates and alternates to the national convention.

As it has already been established that the one and only authorized reconvened state convention will be the one which the Nevada Republican Central Committee has called for July 26, 2008, there is simply no legal way for delegates at an unauthorized meeting to elect delegates to the national convention, nor would any such delegates be recognized by the RNC. There is simply no provision for an unauthorized meeting of non-credentialed state party delegates to convene and elect national convention delegates. I just don’t know how to make it any clearer than that.

As for Robert’s Rules of Order, those are generally considered only when a matter arises which isn’t already addressed in the organization’s bylaws and/or statutes. Since our bylaws and NRS clearly state how special meetings and the state convention are to be handled, Robert’s simply doesn’t appear to apply when it comes to setting the date, place and time for re-convening the state convention.

That being said, according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 10th Edition, “If more than one mass meeting is necessary to achieve a certain objective…a temporary organization to continue beyond a single mass meeting may become necessary. If so, the officers elected at the first meeting are designated chairman pro tem and secretary pro tem…”

Additionally, Robert’s stipulates: “If such rules specify periodic dates on which meetings are to be held, each meeting is a separate session (8) as in an ordinary society; but if the time of each succeeding meeting is set at the previous meeting or is ‘at the call of the chair,’ the entire series of meeting constitutes a single session.”

In short, more than one mass meeting is necessary to achieve the objective of electing delegates to the national convention. And at the first meeting of the state convention, state Sen. Bob Beers was duly elected as chairman of the meeting. As the time and place of “succeeding meetings” was not established at the first meeting, any follow-up meetings would be “at the call of the chair.” No such call has been issued by Convention Chairman Bob Beers, including the unauthorized meeting on June 28th.

In summary, the Nevada Republican Convention is scheduled to officially re-convene on July 26, 2008, for the purpose of electing delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention. No other meeting for that purpose is authorized or will be recognized. And that’s the Lowden Line.

A record number of delegates were credentialed at the 2008 Nevada Republican Convention before it was called to recess on April 26th 2008. The convention has already passed rules, bylaws, credentials, a platform, and elected national committee members.

“We are excited about completing business and moving on towards our end goal of electing Republicans in November,” stated Chairman Sue Lowden. “Our Executive Committee has worked hard to secure a location, insurance, and the necessary security precautions for the reconvening of the convention. All credentialed delegates will receive notification of the date and location by mail.”

Nevada has 34 delegates to the Republican National Convention. State Chairman Sue Lowden, National Committeeman Joe Brown, and National Committeewoman Beverly Willard are automatic delegates to the convention which will be held September 1st through the 4th in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Contrary to what some are alleging, the party appreciated the offer and responded to it immediately. Here is the letter sent to Mr. Terhune on May 19, 2008…

Dear Mr. Terhune:

On behalf of the Nevada Republican Central Committee, please accept my sincere appreciation for your offer to donate the space for the continuation of the 2008 Nevada Republican Party Convention.

You will be pleased to know that before we received your kind offer, we had already made arrangements to reconvene in Reno and continue the 2008 Convention there. We value your concern and dedication to the party and look forward to making the reconvene of the convention a success. You should receive a notice containing details about the meeting, shortly.

Sincerely,

Sue Lowden
Chairman
Nevada Republican Party

There is also an effort underway by some delegates to attempt to reconvene the convention themselves on June 28, 2008. Please be advised that this meeting is NOT sanctioned by the Nevada Republican Party and quite probably would be a violation of our bylaws, Roberts Rules of Order and Nevada Revised Statute. We are researching the applicable provisions and I’ll share them with you here once the research is completed.

Let me repeat, the Nevada Republican Party will NOT be reconvening the convention on June 28, 2008.

A plan for officially reconvening the convention has been drafted and will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Nevada Republican Party at its regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow night. If the plan is approved, delegates will be officially notified as to when and where the meeting will take place. Thank you for your patience.

A number of folks and campaigns have called or written asking about getting access to the official list of 1,347 delegates to Nevada Republican Party convention in Reno. At the request of a sizable number of convention delegates, that list is not being made available to anyone or any campaign. Many delegates do not wish to be solicited or contacted for any reason other than official notifications from the party regarding official convention business, and that seems like a reasonable request to us.

So after consultations with members of the Executive Board of the Nevada Republican Central Committee, the party has opted to keep the official delegate list confidential and will not release it to anyone for any purpose before the convention reconvenes.

The party continues to make preparations to re-start the convention in order to finish up the business of electing delegates to the national convention. No final decisions have been made. However, on the table are two proposals: One, reconvene again in Reno in a few weeks. Two, finish up the elections via a secure, mail-in ballot.

While I have heard from a number of people concerned with a mail-in ballot, there is a danger that if we reconvene in Reno we won’t have a quorum to conduct business. If that should be the case, hundreds of delegates would incur the time and expense of traveling to Reno only to find out that no official business could be transacted. It is for this reason that other options are still being considered. But as I stated, no final decisions have been made.

Additional comments/suggestions here on my blog are always welcome.