Local Republicans Prepare For 1996

Several races from Tuesday’s election have yet to be decided, but some Spokane Republicans were getting ready Friday for the 1996 election.

“The campaign is starting today,” former GOP County Chairman Rich Kuhling told about 35 GOP activists gathered at the Sheraton-Spokane Hotel.

The goal of the group that would organize the local Bob Dole presidential campaign was to “move that guy out of the White House and put somebody competent in there.”

Kuhling was standing in for U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane, a Dole supporter, who was delayed by votes on the budget in Congress.

Nethercutt’s victory over then-Speaker Tom Foley last year offered lessons in beating an incumbent, Kuhling said. They needed a quality candidate and unity in the party, he said.

“Be positive about your candidate,” he added. “Save your arrows for the Democrats.”

Lance Henderson, a state organizer for Dole, said the Spokane meeting was the second this week as the campaign begins building a statewide organization for next year’s caucuses, primary and presidential elections. , DataTimes