On Wednesday the Bank of Springfield Center was packed with excitement as over a thousand people gathered to celebrate the 119th annual Sangamon County Lincoln Day Dinner. This event, organized by the Sangamon County Republican Party, is an annual fundraiser aimed at supporting and promoting Republican candidates and ideals in the local community. It is one of the biggest political events in the area and attracts a diverse range of attendees, including elected officials, party leaders, activists, and members of the public.
The evening was filled with speeches from local leaders, including the keynote address delivered by Kellyanne Conway, a well-known conservative commentator and the first woman to successfully lead a presidential campaign to victory. Conway spoke passionately about the values of the party of Lincoln, inspiring the audience with her words and challenging them to continue to uphold these ideals.
"We are grateful for the tremendous turnout and support we received for this year's Sangamon County Lincoln Day Dinner," said Dianne Barghouti Hardwick, the Chairman of the Sangamon County Republicans. "We want to thank everyone who helped make this event a success, from our volunteers and donors to our speakers and attendees. It is thanks to your hard work and dedication that we are able to continue promoting Republican values in our community."
In addition to the speeches, the event also included awards presentations to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Republican Party and the local community. The Lowell Fraim Award was presented to Debbi Iams, a dedicated volunteer who has tirelessly supported Republican candidates and principles over the years. Iams was also recently elected to the Springfield school board in the 2023 municipal elections. Former Congressman Rodney Davis was also recognized for his ten years of service representing Sangamon County and Central Illinois values in Washington, DC.