Several hundred delegates elected at precinct meetings will converge on Owens Auditorium Saturday for the annual Moore County Republican Party's county convention.

They will elect new officers as well as 105 delegates and 105 alternates to the 6th District and state conventions scheduled in the spring.

John Owen, who is bowing out as chairman after serving four years, will call the convention to order. In keeping with tradition, he asked the 6th District to provide an independent convener to moderate the election process, but he does not expect a district representative to take part this time.

"I invited someone from the district to preside, but since I'm stepping down, there is no real need for an outside moderator," Owen said.

Lane Toomey, chairman of the convention nominating committee, will present a slate of candidates whose names will be placed in nomination. To be elected are chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer plus five members-at-large. Toomey is president of the Moore County Republican Men's Club.

For more on this story, see Friday's print edition of The Pilot.