Poplar Bluff man selected to go to GOP national convention

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man will soon step foot on the convention floor to help choose the Republican party's presidential nominee. Hardy Billington was selected in April to be a delegate for the 39th annual Republican National Convention. He was one of 58 chosen to represent Missouri at the convention, which will be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul Sept. 1 through 4, about two months prior to the general election.

Billington was elected to the post following a caucus at the Van Buren Youth and Community Center last month. He was one of three delegates chosen from Missouri's eighth congressional district.

"I was fortunate to have really good support at the caucus," said Billington as to how he was chosen. "It's an extreme honor to get to go on the trip and to serve not only Poplar Bluff but Missouri [as well]."

This will be Billington's first time acting as a delegate for the national convention. "It's going to be an exciting trip," he said.

Billington will be accompanied by a few friendly faces. Billington will be taking his wife, Diane. He will also take their 17-year-old daughter. "She will be taking government in school [next year]. This will be an opportunity for her to see firsthand how the election works."

But before heading north to represent the right, Billington will be attending a convention closer to home.

"I was also selected as a delegate for the Missouri Republican state convention," Billington said. The event will be held this weekend in Branson. "We'll go to support the candidates and make decisions about the party's platforms."

But it is the national convention Billington is really looking forward to, as it will help decide ultimately whose name will be listed on the 2008 presidential ballot for the Republican side.

In all, 2,380 delegates from all 50 states will be attending this year's convention. Delegates are chosen from all ages and backgrounds who identify with the Republican party. Thousands of others, including alternative delegates, party officials, volunteers and other guests will be in attendance.

This isn't Billington's first time taking part in the presidential party happenings. He played a pivotal role in getting President Bush to visit Poplar Bluff in 2004. He even chronicled this experience, along with meeting other Republican leaders, in a book, "Election By Faith in '04."