Sangamon County Republican Chairman Dianne Bargouhti issued a statement today setting the record straight regarding conversations with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem about speaking to the county organization’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. “We would love to have Govenor Noem has a speaker for our Lincoln Day Dinner. Unfortunately, by the time we heard that the governor was available we had already signed a contract with Turning Point Do-Founder and national radio personality, Charlie Kirk. Governor Noem knows she is welcome in Sangamon County any time her schedule permits.”
Dinner Master of Ceremonies Paul Palazzolo noted that the dinner committee often has to deal with scheduling challenges for popular speakers. “Many of the people who wish to speak at our nationally recognized event have speaking schedules that extend out more than six months. Each year when we work on lining up a speaker we work with as far in advance as possible. The committee was delighted to learn that Governor Noem would like to speak to our group. I am sure that the organizing committee will give her preferential consideration for future events.”
This year’s Lincoln Day speaker will be Illinois native Charlie Kirk who grew up in Arlington Heights and co-founded the organization Turning Point which seeks to counteract liberal bias in our schools and higher education institutions. Kirk is also a cyndicated radio personality hosting his own daily three hour program on Salem Media’s “The Answer” channel. Kirk has a large following among younger conservatives.
The Sangamon County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner is held annually as a major fundraiser for the local Republican Party. It is nationally recognized as one of the oldest and most celebrated Republican events. In past year’s its speakers have included many presidents, United States Senators, Governors and popular conservative leaders. This year’s event will be held Tuesday April 19th from 6pm to 9pm at the Bank of Springfield Center. Tickets are $100 per person and include a gourmet meal.