Political party county conventions today

Nevada's Republicans and Democrats will meet in county conventions all over the state today.

Carson City Republican delegates are meeting in the North Hall next to the Governor's Mansion, while Democratic delegates are meeting at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School.

Republican Chairman Tom Keeton said the convention is expected to run until about 3 p.m. The lunch speaker is John Mason, who is running for Nevada Supreme Court.

"We are allowed 72 delegates to the state convention," he said. "It just depends on how many people we get to go."

Keeton anticipated a greater willingness to go to the state convention, as it is being held in Reno at the Peppermill.

Typically there are plenty of positions to go around for delegates selected at the precinct meetings to go on to the state conventions.

"We usually fall a little short," Keeton said.

While there won't be a debate among about the nominee for president, President George W. Bush, Nevada Republicans do have a choice to make for state party chairperson.

Republican Chairwoman Lia Roberts of Las Vegas resigned so she could run for the candidacy of Romania.

"We have two good candidates for chair, and it's nice when you can't go wrong either way," Keeton said.

Democratic Party County Committee Chairman Jim Wallace hopes to finish business by 1 p.m.

Democrats are selecting 47 delegates to go to the state convention in Las Vegas.

Wallace said he didn't anticipate having any difficulty finding delegates to go to state. Longtime Carson City resident Gertrude Gottschalk will be among the speakers.

Contact Kurt Hildebrand at hildebrand@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.