Democrats, GOP named national convention delegates

UNDATED - The Democratic and Republican parties of Georgia have named the delegates and alternates who will represent them at their respective national conventions this summer.<br /> <br /> Georgia Republicans will send 76 delegates and 76 alternates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., August 27-30. The slate of representatives was finalized during the state convention in Columbus Friday and Saturday.met in Columbus Friday and Saturday.<br /> <br /> Among the northeast Georgians who were named delegates are Georgia's first lady Sandra Deal, former Hall County Republican Party Chairman Jim Pilgrim, and long time Hall County Republican Party member and activist Bettye Chambers. The alternates include Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell and Hall County Republican Party member Brenda Maddox. <br /> <br /> Bell is a former Democrat whose wife was a delegate to the 2008 Democratic convention. However, both switched to the Republican Party in late 2010. (See earlier stories.)<br /> <br /> Of the slate of delegates chose Saturday, Hall County Republican Party Chairman Kris Yardley said "I think the voters of Georgia will be well represented by the delegates and alternates we selected here today. Hall County can be especially proud of the members selected to represent the voters". <br /> <br /> GOP delegates and alternates are determind in the following fashion: Georgia has 14 congressional districts. At the recent district conventions 3 delegates and 3 alternates were selected from each district. The total of 42 is added to the 31 at large delegates and alternates, selected at the state convention on Saturday, and the 3 automatic delegates from Georgia.<br /> <br /> DEMOCRATS <br /> <br /> Georgia Democrats are also finalizing their slate of delegates to the Democratic National Convention which will be held in Charlotte, N.C.. Several northeast Georgians will be making that trip, including Joan Huddleston of Blue Ridge, Venda Young of Cumming, James Dustin Baker of Athens, Jana Hill of Clayton, and Janice Mathis of Bogart.<br /> <br /> "Being a delegate at a national convention is an honor," said state party chairman Mike Berlon. "It costs a significant amount of time to take on this task, and we're grateful for the loyal Georgia citizens who were candidates for this historic event."<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats have announced record fundraising from their door-to-door canvassing program - reporting that door-to-door donations have increased over 30% from 2011 with a record-breaking canvassing year expected.<br /> <br /> Until recently, the Georgia Democratic Party was the only state Democratic Party in the country to have a daily canvassing program that contacted citizens at their home. Party officials say because of their success, such programs are now in place in Tennessee, California and other states.<br /> <br /> "In the age of Super PAC's, the only way for Democrats to stay competitive with the GOP while holding onto our core values is to make sure that constituents are funding their candidates' campaigns," explained Georgia canvass director Michael Smith. "This way our elected officials answer to voters, not special interests."

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