ST. LOUIS – Attorney, former state senatorial candidate, and Missouri Republican Finance Chairman Jack Spooner will hold a GOP kickoff pig roast Saturday in St. Charles in an effort to promote Republicans and a sense of community within the Republican party.
“It’s a non-campaign event designed to get all the candidates and Republicans together where they’re not invited based on candidate loyalties, and they can come together as a party and build party unity,” Spooner said. “Everyone’s welcome. It’s a political get together without the typical political events, the speeches, the push pieces, that type of thing. [It’s] more of a party to show appreciation for our members.”
While Spooner said the gathering was not directly influenced by calls from some members of leadership for the Republican party to unite after the death of Auditor Tom Schweich, he noted it came from the same sentiment, one that he holds deeply as a Republican, that more needs to be done for conservatives to support conservatives.
He also hopes this event can create enough support between candidates to generate better Republican turnout at the polls next year.
“That’s exactly what you’re trying to do,” he said. “You’re trying to create momentum going into 2016,”
Spooner stated most of the statewide Republican candidates are planning on attending, and a number of senate and state rep candidates will also be there. While person-to-person campaigning is accepted, Spooner said there would be no speeches, no signs, and no stickers or buttons.
Instead, it will be a much more informal atmosphere, with a food and drinks, a live band and other entertainment. Former St. Louis Cardinal Jack Clark will take the ceremonial first cut of the pig.
The party will take place Saturday from 12-4 p.m. at Frontier Park in St. Charles.
