GOP groups different, despite common goal

Recently, two different ads appeared in local papers that have caused some confusion. One ad was from the Lincoln County Republican Club, and one ad was from the Lincoln County Republican Central Committee.

We would like to take this opportunity to clarify the differences. Lincoln County Republican Central Committee is comprised of elected precinct committeemen and committeewomen. The current committee has approximately 12-15 members, and it is the legally recognized arm of the Republican Party in Lincoln County.

The Lincoln County Republican Central Committee is currently chaired by former senator Aubyn Curtiss.

The Lincoln County Republican Club is an autonomous 501(c)3 nonprofit club. The club is currently chaired by Judy Matott and has approximately 70 members.

These are two distinctly different entities with different leadership that share the common goal of supporting Republican candidates for elected office. The two entities this year had different policies about supporting non-partisan candidates, with the Lincoln County Republican Central Committee supporting three non-partisan candidates and the Republican Club supporting only federal and state Republican candidates.

As always,we encourage you, the reader, to be an informed voter. We make available information and campaign signs for Republican candidates and non-partisan candidates at the Republican Headquarters at 903 Mineral Avenue in Libby.

This letter was endorsed  by Lincoln County Republican Club members Alvin Benitz, Betty Ward, Kay Watson, Linda Gerard and Bob Windom.

- Alvin Benitz, Libby