Rep. Nora Espinoza delivers the keynote speech at Saturday’s Constitution Day Dinner. She is the Republican candidate in the Secretary of State race. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Republican Party of Los Alamos Chair Bill McKerley welcomes the crowd to the annual Constitution Day Dinner Saturday at the Church of Christ on Diamond Drive. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Constitution Day Dinner attendees who served in the military are asked to stand and are applauded for their service by members of the Republican Party at Saturday’s special event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The Republican Party of Los Alamos hosted its annual Constitution Day Dinner Saturday at Church of Christ on Diamond Drive.
GOP Chair Bill McKerley emceed the patriotic event, which featured keynote speaker House Rep. Nora Espinoza who is a candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State. Espinoza was born and raised in Panama City, Panama. She and her husband, Sonny, have been married for 41 years. They have a son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
Espinoza explained that she is running for Secretary of State in New Mexico because she believes in protecting the integrity of the electoral system.
“Counting votes is a sacred trust, and the Secretary of State is charged with supervising all elections in the state. And in a republic, in a representative democracy, elections are everything. If we get that wrong, then our whole governmental system becomes wrong,” she said.
Espinoza is a resident of Roswell and represents Chaves and Lincoln counties. She is the chairwoman of the Education Committee, vice chairwoman of the Legislative Health and Human Services committee and a member of the Regulatory and Public Affairs committee. She also serves in an advisory capacity on the Water and Natural Resources, Legislative Education Study, Economic and Rural Development and Disabilities Concerns committees and subcommittees. She is running against Democrat Maggie Toulouse Oliver.
Another highlight of Saturday’s special event was a presentation by the four students who won the Constitution Essay Contest. They each recited their winning essay and were awarded certificates and checks.
Several Republican candidates also spoke at Saturday’s event including District Attorney candidate Yvonne Chicoine, Council candidate Jaret McDonald and Probate Judge candidate Abe Dispennette. Written presentations were delivered for House Dist. 43 candidate Sharon Stover and County Clerk candidate Naomi Maestas who were unable to attend the dinner.
GOP Treasurer Jane Gordon gave the invocation, GOP Secretary Mary Wilhoit led the Pledge of Allegiance and GOP 1st Vice Chair James Chrobocinski gave the Benediction.
El Parasol catered the dinner and desserts were provided by Sandy’s Sweets.
Secretary of State candidate Rep. Nora Espinoza. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The crowd gives Secretary of State candidate Rep. Nora Espinoza a standing ovation. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
District Attorney candidate Yvonne Chicoine. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The crowd gives DA candidate Yvonne Chicoine a standing ovation. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Robert Gibson speaks on behalf of House Dist. 43 candidate Sharon Stover who was unable to attend Saturday’s dinner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Kelly Benner speaks on behalf of County Clerk candidate Naomi Maestas who was unable to attend Saturday’s dinner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
County Council candidate Jaret McDonald. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Probate Judge candidate Abe Dispennette. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
County Council candidate Jaret McDonald and LAFRW member Donna MacDonald. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Fran Berting, Jennifer McKerley and Kelly Benner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, LAFRW President Bethany Tierney, her husband Tom Tierney and her mom Shirley Redmond. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Robert Gibson and U.S. Rep. Bill Redmond. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, John Bliss, County Council Chair Rick Reiss and Probate Judge candidate Abe Dispennette. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Lewis Muir, County Councilor and GOP 1st Vice Chair James Chrobocinski, his wife Jacqueline Chrobocinski and Probate Judge candidate Abe Dispennette. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, U.S. Rep. Bill Redmond, Sen. Rod Adair and Lisa Shin who delivered a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Local GOP Secretary Mary Wilhoit and her husband Dennis Wilhoit. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Lucille Bonner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Silent auction items. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Silent auction items. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Lawry Mann and his wife Alice Mann. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Nancy Bliss, Norman Wilson and his wife Barbara Jean Wilson. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Local GOP Treasurer Jane Gordon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
State Sen. Rod Adair, his wife Dana Adair and U.S. Rep. Bill Redmond. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Peggy Pendergast and Nancy Bill. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
GOP Chair Bill McKerley and event Chair Kelly Benner.thank the crowd for attending Saturday’s Consitution Day Dinner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
