By Constitution Staff

Republicans from across the Sooner State gathered in Oklahoma City on April 20 for the 2013 Republican State Convention. The state GOP holds conventions in the odd-numbered years to select a Chairman and Vice Chairman to lead the party organization into the elections held in the following year. They also approve party rules and adopt a party platform.

On March 6, just six weeks before the convention, Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell announced that he would conclude his service as Chairman when his term ended April 20. Pinnell said he was evaluating a number of opportunities in the public and private sectors. In April, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus announced the appointment of Pinnell as the new RNC State Party Director. Pinnell will serve as the chief liaison between the Republican National Committee and the state parties across the nation.

Dave Weston was the first candidate to announce a campaign to succeed Pinnell. Weston has been active in a variety of positions in the party, including fundraising. He served as part of the campaign management team which successfully elected Congressman James Lankford in 2010, and from 2011-2012 he played a similar role in the election of Congressman Jim Bridenstine. As the convention approached, Amanda Teegarden also entered the race. Teegarden is the Executive Director of OK-SAFE, Inc. (Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise), a 501(c)4, a non-profit corporation formed in 2006. OK-SAFE is dedicated to restoring the principles of the American Free Enterprise system and the Constitutional Sovereignty of Oklahoma and the United States.

The day of the Saturday convention began with a Prayer Breakfast featuring Congressman James Lankford. After registration for the convention closed, the Credentials Committee met to prepare the credentials report. Meanwhile, the assembled delegates were welcomed with a presentation by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, followed by training sessions. The credentials report was then adopted after a plea to accept late arrivals was rejected.

There were 2,000 potential delegates apportioned to the county parties based on the votes cast for the Republican candidate for President in 2012. A total of 1,226 delegates were present, registered, and certified to vote at the convention. The 2012 GOP convention had been thrown into controversy with a fight over credentials which delayed the proceedings of the convention for several hours. This year, the process was carried out smoothly, and for the first time delegates were asked to show identification during registration.

The certified delegates then adopted rules to govern the convention proceedings and elected state Rep. Gus Blackwell to serve as the convention chairman. The convention then turned to the first important official business -- the election of the new party chairman. Dave Weston was elected as the new chairman by the convention delegates, receiving 61 percent of the vote.

This year, the delegates were provided box lunches as part of their delegate registration fee, and the convention reconvened following the lunch break and turned their attention to the election of a Vice Chairman.

The trio of candidates for the number two spot included conservative activist Richard Engle (an Oklahoma Constitution columnist), party activist Denise Crosswhite Hader, and Sara Jo Odom who is a long-time party worker. Odom led the first vote receiving 43 percent, followed by Engle with 37 percent and Hader with 20 percent. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, a runoff was held between Odom and Engle. Odom emerged as the winner with 59 percent of the vote.

During one of the slack periods while votes were being counted, the delegates heard from Rick Green who is a speaker for WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization. The convention crowd was further captivated when Green introduced his 13 year-old son -- Reagan -- to give a presentation.

The convention continued with the consideration of changes to the party rules. They then rejected a number of amendments to the party platform, and adopted the platform in a near unanimous voice vote, before closing remarks and adjournment late in the afternoon.

The Friday evening prior to the main convention, a Convention Gala Dinner was held. The dinner featured Fred Barnes who can often be seen on the Fox News Channel where he serves as a regular contributor. In addition to his television appearances, Barnes is also the co-founder and executive editor of The Weekly Standard magazine.

Long-time Republican activist Rodd Moesel was presented the 2013 OKGOP Ronald Reagan Award at the dinner. The Ronald Reagan Award is the Oklahoma Republican Party's "lifetime achievement" award.

Oklahoma Democrats will hold their 2013 State Convention on May 18 in Oklahoma City.