Brian Porter - Sterling Journal-Advocate
While honoring the memory of President Abraham Lincoln, new Logan County Republican Party Chairman Josh Sonnenberg turned to another popular Republican president for inspiration Saturday during the annual Lincoln Dinner.
In 1964, Ronald Reagan gave his “A Time For Choosing” speech and upon his resignation from office in 1988 spoke of America as “A Shining City on a Hill.” Sonnenberg referenced both during remarks to Logan County Republicans.
“Everywhere you look, people are saying this is one of the darkest times in our history,” Sonnenberg said, arguing it is not the case. “At one time, America was just an idea. America was a hope for something better.”
He honored Sheriff Brett Powell as the Logan County Republican Party’s Republican of the Year, noting his 27-year residency and contributions to the party.
“I had no desire to stay that long when I first got here,” Powell said. “I was going to stay for two or three years and then probably go back to the mountains.”
Powell made the decision to stay in Sterling, he said, developing a fondness for the community.
Additionally, Republicans provided Jerry Sonnenberg with a standing ovation following a video Josh Sonnenberg played which detailed his induction into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Sonnenberg was term-limited as a senator, and so recently accepted a new role as county commissioner.
Republicans also heard from Weld County Commissioner Scott James, who provided a speech detailing the state of the state in political terms.
“Just like you, I see it,” he said. “I see magic mushrooms becoming legal. I see a moral slide that is not exactly encouraging.”
James’ presentation referenced an all-time high price of gasoline being reached recently and egg prices up 60 percent.
“Don’t even get me started on fentanyl,” he said.
James detailed the statewide growth in unaffiliated voters during a 10-year period in which registered Republicans did not grow statewide. He also noted Logan County is an area where registered Republicans have grown in a 10-year period as much as the state as a whole.
“You have done your part,” he said.
Those unaffiliated voters can be swayed to vote Republican, James said, if the party has a jersey worth wearing.
“We are at a time where we must choose,” he said. “I’d like to think the Republicans have the answers.”
Sonnenberg noted the annual Meat-In observance on March 18 at Sterling Livestock before closing the evening on a positive note.
“These days today are far from our darkest times,” he said. “9/11 was a dark day. On 9/12 we showed a tremendous response. Your political party didn’t matter, all that did was we were all Americans.”
He encouraged Republicans to win elections on issues and solutions, renewing Reagan’s “shining city.”
Sonnenberg announced other Logan County Central Committee Officers for 2023-24: 1st Vice Chairman Conrad Boston, 2nd Vice Chairwoman Janie Glenn, Secretary Darwin Haynes and Treasurer Jason Santomaso.
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