Chair urges attendees to 'be the people,' warns against corporate-government convergence

Chair opened the Lincoln Day dinner by asking attendees to adopt the evening’s theme — "Be the people" — and to take an active role in defending republican principles locally. She recounted civic history and recent caucus and delegate activity, thanked volunteers and house district chairs, and urged members to translate principles into neighborhood organizing.

The chair framed the concern as both an ideological and practical challenge: "Maybe a modern-day feudalism is being rebranded and walking through the back door," she said, warning that "corporations and governments seem to be merging" in ways that can undercut free markets and public accountability. She also criticized what she described as selective principle-taking by some within the party and called for continued vigilance and activism.

Her remarks tied the theme to the party’s recent organizational work: she thanked house chairs for months of caucus preparation and cited a large delegate training that drew more than 1,300 people. She urged attendees to see party work as a civic responsibility rather than only partisan triumph, saying small groups of determined citizens have driven major changes historically.

The program continued with sponsor remarks and a lineup of speakers including Rod Man, Brady Bremer and national guests. Chair closed the night by announcing a "meet the candidates" event the next morning at Mountain View High School and encouraging attendees to stay involved at the local level.