The Dawson County Republican Party played host to statewide GOP party leaders and candidates Monday night at 6140 Events. The event was an opportunity for candidates for both party and public offices to mingle with constituents. Candidates with the desire to serve as state party officials such as chair or treasurer took to the stage to explain what they hope to accomplish. Georgia is a very important state to the national Republican Party’s strategy. While Georgia is not considered a swing state like Florida, its 16 Electoral College votes firmly anchor the party’s southern block. Georgia has played that role in national politics since the 1974 election, with the only exceptions coming when a southern Democrat was on the ballot. In 1976 and 1980, Jimmy Carter took his home state, and in 1992 Bill Clinton won the state.