Sportsmen and Candidates Will Get an Opportunity to Visit and Discuss Issues at Candidates Reception

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Leaders from the Ohio sportsmen’s community will be meeting with state and federal legislative candidates next month, rubbing elbows and voicing their concerns at the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance 2008 Candidates Reception.

Most notably this year, the event is being sponsored and co-hosted by the Ohio Republican Party and the Ohio Democratic Party. Leaders from both organizations will address those in attendance, and will encourage their candidates to make the event a priority.

“This event is a must attend for both sportsmen and sportswomen, and our Democratic candidates,” said State Representative Chris Redfern, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. “It gives us a chance to forge new relationships and common ground that will pay off for Ohio hunters, anglers and our rich fish and wildlife resources.”

This sentiment was echoed by Republican Party officials.

“Sportsmen are a vital constituency for Republican candidates. Their unwavering commitment to preserving Ohio’s habitat and their contributions towards wildlife conservation is second to none,” said State Representative Kevin DeWine, Deputy Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. “We are proud to host this event.”

The reception will be April 15 at the Athletic Club of Columbus from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The Athletic Club is located at 136 E. Broad St. in downtown Columbus. Legislative candidates will use the informal atmosphere as an opportunity meet the opinion leaders from Ohio’s many prominent statewide sportsmen’s organizations, while listening to the opinions and fielding questions of their sportsman constituents.

The Ohio State chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation leads a group of distinguished sportsmen organizations and sporting goods businesses also sponsoring the reception. Sponsors include Gander Mountain, Buckeye Firearms Association, Whitetails Unlimited, the Ohio State Council of Pheasants Forever, Ohio State Trappers Association and Safari Club Chapters of Ohio.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.