Reporter-Herald Staff Writer
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Herald
Eighteen months from now, the United States will have elected a new president. Colorado will choose a new U.S. senator, Larimer County could choose a few new commissioners and legislators, and Loveland could have a new mayor and four new city councilmen.
You could be one of them. Probably not president or senator, but the local races are well within a resident's reach, as long as he or she knows what to do.
The
Larimer County Republican Party is
gearing up for the 2008 battle by putting on a six-session series on how to run
for public office. The series, which costs $150 per person, will be held every
other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting in August and ending in
November.
About 20 people have signed up for the 15 to 20 spots, said Dan Betts, the party candidate liaison and founder of the program. A selection committee will choose the most promising candidates, and the selection committee will accept applicants for the spots until June 1.
Only Larimer County Republicans will be considered for the class, Betts said.
"We're not going to care about what wing of the party you're from to be part of the program or to be a speaker."
The academy covers the history of Larimer County, policy issues such as education and fiscal policy, how to campaign, the county party structure and leadership in the community
Adam Bowen, chairman of the Larimer County Democratic Party, said party leaders have already trained in Denver and are preparing other activists for the 2008 election.
"We don't really (train) in the same format as the Republicans," Bowen said. "We don't have a formalized training program."
Bowen said those who are interested in becoming candidates can get information from party leaders.
ON THE NET: For more information, go to www.larimergop.org/lrla.htm