Young Republicans Dive into Football Season
By GOPUSA Staff
GOPUSA News
September 12, 2006

RALEIGH, NC (GOPUSA News) -- With the passing of Labor Day, both campaign season and football season are here. As both seasons get into full swing, the Young Republicans in Wake County, North Carolina have come up with a creative, fun way to show support for Republican candidates: the club is sponsoring a GOP Tailgate Contest. The contest encourages Republican football fans throughout North Carolina to show their support for the GOP's candidates by hosting Republican-themed tailgate parties at college and NFL games in North Carolina.

The GOP Tailgate Contest is the brainchild of Dave Reynolds, who recently became Chairman of the Wake County Young Republicans.

"When I headed out to tailgate before the N.C. State football game on Sept. 2, I decided to post Republican candidates' signs on my jeep and at our tailgate site," says Reynolds. "I was amazed by the buzz created by the signs. The 'Re-Elect Sheriff Donnie Harrison' sign was definitely a crowd favorite."

"The more I thought about it, the more I thought we should encourage Republicans everywhere to show their support for our candidates during their tailgate parties," Reynolds continues. "That's when I came up with the idea for the GOP Tailgate Contest."

"In a nutshell, the GOP Tailgate Contest provides conservative football fans with a way to show their support for Republican candidates while rooting for their favorite football team," adds Reynolds. "We invite Republican football fans throughout North Carolina to enter this contest and help cheer Team GOP on to victory this November."

While the Wake County YRs contest is specific to North Carolina, the club is encouraging other groups around the nation to follow suit.

"This is a fun, positive way to show support for our Republican candidates," says Reynolds. "We strongly encourage YR clubs in other states to sponsor similar contests."

There is no fee to enter the Wake County Young Republicans' GOP Tailgate Contest. To be eligible for consideration, entries must be submitted by someone registered as a Republican in North Carolina. Those wishing to enter the contest should submit a photo taken at a tailgate party during a college or NFL game between September 3 and November 6, 2006. Entries, which should be submitted to wakeyr@gmail.com, must be received by November 10. The club's executive board will then select the winner based on the number of people in the photo, visibility of candidate signage and originality.

The club's leaders emphasized the importance of all tailgate parties being conducted in good taste.

"We will only accept entries that are considered to be in good taste and which promote Republican candidates in a positive way," Reynolds says.

The winners, who will be announced at the club's Christmas Party on December 7, 2006, will receive gift certificates to restaurants located in North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh. The first place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Moonlight Pizza. The second and third place winners will receive gift certificates to 101 Lounge & Cafe, which is set to open in early 2007. Photos of the winning parties will be featured on the Wake County YRs Web site. Winners are not required to be present at the party where they are announced.

For more information on contest rules or to enter, please visit www.GOPTailgateContest.com.

Membership in the Wake County Young Republicans (YRs) is open to any registered Republican between 18 and 40 years old, inclusive, who resides in Wake County. The club is a member of the N.C. Federation of Young Republicans (NCFYR) and is an auxiliary organization of the Wake County Republican Party. The Wake County Young Republicans club provides members with opportunities to get involved, develop friendships with other like-minded young professionals, learn about the political process, hear from Republican elected officials, candidates and other conservative leaders, contribute to the advancement of Republican principles and ideals, and help Republican candidates win election to public office. For more information, please contact Chairman Dave Reynolds via email at davereynoldsyr@gmail.com or visit www.wakeyr.com.

Story brought to you by GOPUSA.