More than 230

Republicans gathered in Coweta County at Northgate High School Saturday

to select the 3rd congressional District chairman.

Ten counties

were represented.

Two candidates

vied for district chairman: Barbara Scruggs from Coweta County and Rob

Doll from Muscogee County. Scruggs has held the chairmanship for the past

year, completing Peter Pfeifer's term after his resignation.

Convention

registration opened at 9 a.m. with an official starting time of 10 a.m.

Coweta County was allocated 44 delegates and was one of only three counties

that filled their quotas.

State Sen.

Mitch Seabaugh, state Rep. Lynn Smith and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland were

included in the Coweta County delegation. Seabaugh and Westmoreland spoke

to the group prior to the beginning of the official business of the convention.

Both encouraged Republicans to work toward electing a Republican House,

Senate and governor in upcoming elections and highlighted some important

issues facing the state in the near future.

The overall

tone of the convention was enthusiastic, upbeat and positive. Many conversations

revolved around the change of leadership in the White House.

Robert "Rob"

Doll was easily elected as the new chairman for the 3rd District party.

His strong background and grass roots preparation were two strengths cited

as reasons for their support by many who voted for him. He is a graduate

of Florida State University. His work history includes four years in the

U. S. Army, a short stint as deputy assistant attorney general and deputy

secretary of labor in Florida and ownership or co-ownership of a number

of small businesses.

His active

Republican roots go back to 1975 when he started the Bay County Young

Republicans. He served as president of the group, was national committeeman

for the Young Republicans for two years, and was county chairman for Reagan

for President 1979-80 and 1983-84.

He was the

county or district chairman for a number of others seeking office, including

Connie Mack, U.S. Senate, Florida. He served as the county chairman for

George Bush for President and state finance cochairman and northwest Florida

chairman for Bob Dole for President. He has served on numerous committees

and held many elected positions in both Florida and Muscogee County, Ga.

and was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1992 and

1996.

Many of the

district delegates will also be attending the state Republican Convention

as delegates or alternates in May. The two-day convention will be in Cobb

County this year, May 4 and 5. Two of the three candidates running for

the state Republican chairman position attended the 3rd District Convention

Saturday hoping to sway the undecided to vote for them in May. Maria Strollo

and David Shafer both spoke briefly to the group, outlining the reasons

for voting for them. Ralph Reed also is running for the position.

In addition

to selecting the chairman, other 3rd District office holders were elected.

Fayette County was well represented in the elections. Kathy Chamberlin

was elected third vice chairman, Lane Watts fourth vice chairman and Carl

Davis was elected to serve as finance chairman. Jean Studdard and Kathy

Chamberlin were also elected to serve on the state Executive Committee.

Marilyn Watts served as resolutions chairman for the convention.