A Republican tradition continues
October 28, 2020
Pictured above, left to right, Missouri Treasurer, Scott Fitzpatrick, Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor, Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, campaign for re-election.
Monday night, November 2, the Barry County Republican Club, in conjunction with the Republican Central Committee, will host its pre-election night rally, an event which has become a tradition since at least 1960, according to former presiding commissioner, Cherry Warren.
“I know it was going on when I graduated from college that year,” he said. “We’ve hosted one in Barry County ever since.”
According to Warren, there’s a bit of superstition connected with the event, as far as the candidates up for election are concerned.
“Years ago,” he said, “as the story was told to me, there was a state candidate who skipped the Barry County pre-election night (“New Year’s Eve”) event, and he lost in the election the following day. Since then, we’ve drawn a crowd of state candidates every election cycle, for fear the same thing will happen to them.
“They may not admit it to you,” he chuckled, “but I suspect a lot of them are superstitious about being here.”
Expected to put in an appearance at this year’s event, according to Republican Club Chairman Glen Cope, is a powerful line-up of Missouri’s top office-holders, including Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and Congressman Billy Long.
Senator Roy Blunt also confirmed, according to Cope.
The event is open to anyone interested. Tickets are not required.
“A free meal catered by John Sullivan will be served,” Cope said.
Republican Club member and former county collection, Janice Varner, suspects that Missouri Senator and Barry County native, Emory Melton, started what she calls the “good, good tradition” of the pre-election night Republican event.
“It’s a great chance to get out and get motivated to support the candidates on the Republican ticket,” she said.
Varner, who has been involved with the event since she was elected to the collector’s office in 2002, tells the story of the superstition connected with it in a slightly different manner.
“There was a candidate, once, who just about didn’t show up for the rally,” she said, “but then changed his mind and did, then won the election.”
Varner said the gathering usually sees attendance upward of 300 people, although she’s not certain of how many to expect this year, due to concerns about COVID-19.
“We’re planning for about 350,” she said, “but we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
Glen Cope believes this election is generating more excitement among Republicans than in years past.
“One thing we really have to be proud of here in Barry County,” he said, “is that we have Barry County native, Scott Fitzpatrick, on the statewide ballot. It’s a first for us.”
Cope also appreciates the fact that Missouri’s top two officials, Governor Mike Parson and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, are both cattlemen.
“Barry County is primarily an agricultural county,” he said, “so when our top two state officials can relate to our viewpoints, they really appeal to us.”
The Monday night Republican Rally will begin at 6 p.m. in the Cassville High School gym.
“I know it was going on when I graduated from college that year,” he said. “We’ve hosted one in Barry County ever since.”
According to Warren, there’s a bit of superstition connected with the event, as far as the candidates up for election are concerned.
“Years ago,” he said, “as the story was told to me, there was a state candidate who skipped the Barry County pre-election night (“New Year’s Eve”) event, and he lost in the election the following day. Since then, we’ve drawn a crowd of state candidates every election cycle, for fear the same thing will happen to them.
“They may not admit it to you,” he chuckled, “but I suspect a lot of them are superstitious about being here.”
Expected to put in an appearance at this year’s event, according to Republican Club Chairman Glen Cope, is a powerful line-up of Missouri’s top office-holders, including Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and Congressman Billy Long.
Senator Roy Blunt also confirmed, according to Cope.
The event is open to anyone interested. Tickets are not required.
“A free meal catered by John Sullivan will be served,” Cope said.
Republican Club member and former county collection, Janice Varner, suspects that Missouri Senator and Barry County native, Emory Melton, started what she calls the “good, good tradition” of the pre-election night Republican event.
“It’s a great chance to get out and get motivated to support the candidates on the Republican ticket,” she said.
Varner, who has been involved with the event since she was elected to the collector’s office in 2002, tells the story of the superstition connected with it in a slightly different manner.
“There was a candidate, once, who just about didn’t show up for the rally,” she said, “but then changed his mind and did, then won the election.”
Varner said the gathering usually sees attendance upward of 300 people, although she’s not certain of how many to expect this year, due to concerns about COVID-19.
“We’re planning for about 350,” she said, “but we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
Glen Cope believes this election is generating more excitement among Republicans than in years past.
“One thing we really have to be proud of here in Barry County,” he said, “is that we have Barry County native, Scott Fitzpatrick, on the statewide ballot. It’s a first for us.”
Cope also appreciates the fact that Missouri’s top two officials, Governor Mike Parson and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, are both cattlemen.
“Barry County is primarily an agricultural county,” he said, “so when our top two state officials can relate to our viewpoints, they really appeal to us.”
The Monday night Republican Rally will begin at 6 p.m. in the Cassville High School gym.