BRYANT POND – Randy Bumps, executive director of the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign, was featured speaker at the Jan. 13 meeting of the Oxford County Republican Committee at Franklin Grange.

Bumps’ presentation was on the effort in Maine to capture the state for President Bush and aid in electing Republicans at all levels in Maine.

He outlined the strategies for Republican victory in November. Bumps introduced Andrew Simon, a student at Bates College and the head of College Republicans in Maine. Simon has done an outstanding job in Androscoggin County in registering Republicans.

Trevor Bragdon of Bangor, 2nd District coordinator, was also introduced. State Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Norway) will serve as regional chairman for Bush-Cheney.

Following Bumps’ presentation, a brief meeting was held. Chairman Paul Billings of Bryant Pond announced that the Lincoln Day dinner will be held at the Bethel Inn on Wednesday, Feb. 28, with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins as featured speaker.

Tom Winsor, register of probate, announced he would be running for re-election and would be serving as e-mail chairman for Oxford County in the upcoming election.

County Commissioner Steven Merrill also announced he would be running for re-election. Diane Jackson, representing U.S. Olympia Snowe, reported on Snowe’s recent activities in Maine.

Chuck Mahaleris, representing Collins’ Lewiston office, also reported on Maine’s junior senator’s activities.

Candidate recruitment activities were also discussed with Norm Ferguson reporting good progress. It was announced that at least two candidates would be running for the Second District nomination, businessman Bob Stone of Lewiston and Brian Hamel, president and CEO of Loring Development Authority.

State Committeewoman Becky Kendall of Bethel announced that caucus kits are available. Feb. 8 and 29 were two days that several towns would be caucusing, but other dates would be equally acceptable. It was stressed that it was important all towns hold a caucus to elect representatives to the state convention and to the county committee.