AUGUSTA – Attendance at the 2008 Republican Convention held in the Civic Center on May 2 and 3 was determined to be the largest in the party’s history, with more than 2,500 delegates, alternates and guests attending.

The Oxford County delegation was among the larger present and was seated close to the front since it was one of the counties that brought in more advertising for the convention booklet.

Rick Bennett of Oxford, former state representative, state senator and senate president, was elected as national committeeman, succeeding Peter Cianchette, who recently was sworn in as ambassador to Costa Rica.

At the county caucus, Becky Kendall of Bethel was re-elected state committeewoman and Stan Howe, also of Bethel was re-elected state committeeman. Paula Smith of Andover was elected as the at-large member of the state committee from Oxford County.

Diane Jackson of Oxford and Bennett were also elected as vice chairs of the convention representing the county. The county’s choices for the Second District Committee were John Palmer of Oxford, Karen Brown-Mohr of Bethel, Sawin Millett of Waterford and Robert Cameron of Rumford.

Republican State Senate candidate Glen Holmes of Buckfield and House candidates Jarrod Crockett of Bethel, Robert Cameron of Rumford (represented by Neil Hanley), Joe Robison of Paris, David Knapp of Fryeburg and Rep. Ralph Sarty, R-Denmark, were among the speakers at the May 13 meeting of the Oxford County Republican Committee at the Christian Advent Church, Oxford.

Following a dinner sponsored by the Hannibal Hamlin Republican Women’s Club, the new candidates and Sarty outlined issues and strategies for victory in 2008.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at the Andover Congregational Church. It will feature a report from Republican legislators on the past session.