The weather wasn’t cooperative, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the nearly 80 people who gathered Wednesday for the opening of the Phelps County Republican Party Campaign Headquarters located at 119 South U.S. Route 63.
Through a steady downpour, the party’s faithful weaved their way through a maze of vehicles on the headquarter’s crowded parking lot located on the northeast corner of U.S. Route 63 and Missouri Route 72 to find standing-room only space inside the newly remodeled building.
After a brief candidate introduction by Bill Hickle, chairman of the Phelps County Central Committee, U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau) offered stiff words about the challenge Republicans face to retain the White House.