YOUR AD HERE »

Summit County Republicans gather for fundraiser

Breeana Laughlin
blaughlin@summitdaily.com
Sheriff John Minor attended the Summit County Republicans fundraiser at TYL Ranch north of Silverthorne on Saturday.
Summit Daily News |

It was an all-American scene at the Summit County Republicans’ picnic on Saturday.

The sun shone over the green rolling hills and onto the mighty Gore Range. Horses whinnied from stables at the TYL Ranch as more than 100 people lined up for a full barbecue spread, including a roast pig. And red, white and blue streamers and balloons adorned the walls.

“When people can come together and share their ideas and share a meal with other people that are of like minds, it makes for a good event,” said Summit County Republicans’ vice chairman Kim McGahey.



The annual picnic serves as a fundraiser for Republican candidates in Summit County. The money will help support candidates in county races including those for the sheriff, coroner, clerk recorder and county assessor positions.

“If we have anybody from our county who joins House District 61 or Senate District 8 races, then we would support them as well,” said Liz Wickert, the Summit County Republican group’s secretary.



The group invites a variety of candidates to attend the annual picnic to share their political messages.

Saturday’s lineup included Summit County Sheriff John Minor, Coroner Tim Keeling and state Sen. Randy Baumgardner. Sheriff Terry Maketa of El Paso County was also invited to speak at the event.

Minor said the picnic was both a fun, relaxing event and a way to connect with the Republican community.

“I come out here every year to hang out with the Grand Old Party and have a good time and eat some barbecue,” he said. “It’s a good time to have a chat with some folks to stay in touch and see what’s on their mind and what their concerns are. I’m here to listen if they have any concerns about public safety, too.”

The Summit County Republicans said they want to get the word out to other Republicans in the area that they are around.

“We are kind of a minority around here, but that doesn’t mean we are going to be a silent minority,” McGahey said. “We are going to be vocal and we think that a lot of people in this county, in this state and in the country that believe in the same things we believe in.”

The picnic on Saturday was one of two major fundraisers held by the group every year. The group meets the first Monday of every month at the Community and Senior Center in Frisco. More information about the Summit County Republicans can be found at http://www.thesummitgop.org.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.

Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.