Excitement is starting to escalate as the Carter County Republican Party is in the final preparation stages to host their Lincoln Day Dinner at Milligan College’s Sutton Hall on Thursday, May 16.

This year’s special speaker will be Governor Bill Lee, who made numerous stops in Carter County while on the campaign trail seeking the office he currently holds.

“He is just a wonderful man,” said Judy Reed, who is the Vice Chairwoman of the county’s Republican Party. “When he was campaigning for governor, we asked him when he got elected as the governor, would he come back for our Lincoln Day Dinner.

“He told us that if he was elected, he would be more than happy to come for the dinner. So, we have our speaker.”

Reed said that while Lee was campaigning that he made sure to visit Carter County and Elizabethton several times. During one of his visits, Lee was impressed by a large gathering that greeted him.

“He has a big heart for East Tennessee,” Reed went on to say. “We had an absolutely packed house for him that day and he was really impressed.

“And people were really excited about him before he was elected as governor.”

According to Reed, the dinner is a time that the party looks forward to each year and it is a way that Carter County’s Republican Party can come together and unify.

“It’s time to bring the party together. It’s a wonderful time of fellowship and renewal as we will have a wonderful meal and a wonderful program. Everyone leaves happier than when they came,” Reed stated.

While tickets for the 5:30 p.m. reception with Governor Lee are in limited supply, a few do remain for a cost of $50.

Also, there are still tickets available for the meal and program that begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Those tickets are $30 and may be secured by calling President Johnny Holder, 213-3072; Reed, 262-8163; or Rick and Rosemary Meredith, 534-8407.

Tickets may also be purchased at the party’s headquarters located in the Ritz Mini Mall at 527 E. Elk Ave. in downtown Elizabethton.

Milligan College’s Sutton Hall is located at 101 Neth Drive on the college campus.