Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler takes a photo with attendees at the Lincoln Day Dinner event put on by Lewis County Republicans at Centralia College on Friday.
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler speaks to the crowd at the Lincoln Day Dinner event put on by Lewis County Republicans at Centralia College on Friday.
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler spoke to an audience of Republicans at Centralia College on Friday night at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner held by Lewis County Republicans.
The event helped raise money for Republicans running for office in upcoming elections, with many elected officials or candidates running for office in attendance, including Centralia City Councilman Peter Abbarno, 19th District Representative Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) and 20th District Representative Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama).
“I love this community and actually, I talk about this community in different areas of my district, when it comes to innovation in schools or around the business community,” Herrera Beutler said to attendees. “I just got to tour the Fox Theatre, just the support that this community has for one another, you don’t see that everywhere.”
There was a silent auction at the event with a variety of items to bid on, including wine, books and various Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan memorabilia.
At the event were some prominent Republicans, including Herrera Beutler and Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Herrera Beutler spoke at the end of the event about some of her time in D.C. and how she wishes she lived in Southwest Washington full time.
“For me, it is always so refreshing to be here in Lewis County. You don’t even know — you live here all the time. For me, it’s just a privilege to relax with this group of people,” Herrera Beutler said.
She also spoke about the tax cuts passed at the end of 2017, stating that Washington State economic forecasts projected 20,000 new jobs in Washington as a direct result of the tax cuts.
“We have given, and when I say we — House, Senate, White House — the American people, back more of their money. It wasn’t our money, it was their money,” Herrera Beutler said. “It’s the largest tax cut in a generation. I think I was around, when I saw the numbers, 8 years old, last time the tax code was really dug into, and it wasn’t just a tax cut, it was a full scale remodel, and because of it, we are seeing more money in our paychecks, we are seeing it across Southwest Washington (and) Washington State.”
Herrera Beutler talked about the upcoming elections and how important it is for Republicans to continue to work hard.
“I became the first, actually second Republican in 60 years, to hold this congressional seat. This is not a hardcore Republican seat, people … We’re not safe, we just worked really hard,” Hererra Beutler said.
“Cy (Meyers) is such a good example of that. You all, the folks in this room have been with me since the beginning, showing up bright and early at Eight Days Parade. You’ve given up your time and your evenings, chasing ballots, calling folks, waving signs.”
“Oh my goodness, you give your treasure at events like this. You’ve done it because you know that the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, the ability to raise your family and pursue your destiny, and make sure your children have a better life than you’ve had. You know those principles that allow you to live as a person of faith, and teach your children about that faith, those are the things that have made our country great.”
There were two awards handed out at the dinner as well, including the Longevity Award for service to the local Republican Party and the Cy Meyers Railsplitter Award for volunteer service to the party.
The Lewis County Republicans’ next fundraising event is the Annual Lewis County Republican Picnic on the first Monday in August.
