Newton County residents planning to vote in the Republican primary May 20 will have a chance to meet and question several candidates in one place at the Newton County Republican Party’s April 15 political rally.

Every Republican candidate seeking a state or local seat that will be contested in the primary and represents at least part of Newton County has been invited to attend a rally from 5-7 p.m., April 15 at the Turner Lake Complex, located off the Turner Lake Road/Clark Street roundabout.

“We want the citizens to be able to meet the candidates,” said local GOP Chair Delia Fleming. “Candidates will set up tables around the room with all their campaign stuff, and people can actually go up and speak to the candidates, meet them and ask them questions.”

Each candidate will also likely have a chance to speak for a couple of minutes, but Fleming emphasized that there will be plenty of time for citizens to talk to individual candidates.

So far, here are the candidates who have confirmed their attendance:

State Senate – Phil Gingrey, Karen Handel, David Perdue

State School Superintendent – Mike Buck, Nancy Jester, Richard Wood
10th congressional – Mike Collins, Jody Hice, Gary Gerrard, Donna Sheldon, Stephen Simpson, Mitchell Swan

State House 112 – Aaron Brooks, Dave Belton, Ester Fleming

District 2 Newton County Board of Commissioners – Ricky Corley

Candidates for other races, including the governor’s race, have been invited but have not said whether they’ll be attending.

In addition to the meet and greet, the Newton County GOP will have a raffle. Tickets will be purchased at the event.