More Endorsements

Here's the latest endorsements from the campaign trail.

Rudy Giuliani
Jim Coats, Sheriff -- Pinellas Co, FL
John Morroni, Commissioner--Pineallas Co, FL
Dawn Marie Addiego, Freeholder -- Burlington Co, NJ
Ralph Bakley, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Dan Beyel, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Carl Block, Clerk -- Ocean Co, NJ
Joan Bramhall, Clerk -- Morris Co, NJ
Douglas Cabana, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
John Callinan, Sheriff -- Cape May Co, NJ
Bill Chegwidden, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Denise Coyle, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Len Desiderio, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Gene Feyl, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Rick Fontana, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Philip Haines, Clerk -- Burlington Co, NJ
John Inglesino, Deputy Freeholder Director -- Morris Co, NJ
John Kelly, Freeholder Director -- Ocean Co, NJ
James Lacey, Freeholder --Ocean Co, NJ
Margaret Nordstrom, Freeholder Director -- Morris Co, NJ
Joseph Oxley, Sheriff -- Monmouth Co, NJ
Peter Palmer, Freeholder --Somerset Co, NJ
William Polhemus, Sheriff --Ocean Co, NJ
Frank Provenzano, Sheriff -- Somerset Co, NJ
Bret Radi, Clerk -- Somerset Co, NJ
Jack Schrier, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Ralph Sheets, Vice Freeholder Director -- Cape May Co, NJ
Sal Simonetti, Sheriff -- Warren Co, NJ
Jerry Thornton, Freeholder -- Ocean Co, NJ
Robert Untig, Sheriff -- Sussex Co, NJ
Joseph Vicari, Freeholder -- Ocean Co, NJ
Bob Zaborowski, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Susan Zellman, Freeholder -- Sussex Co, NJ
Robert Larkin, Commissioner -- Washoe Co, NV
Mike Ryan, County Council -- Horry Co, SC

John McCain
Bob Bezotte, Sheriff -- Livingston Co, MI
Bruce Woodbury, Commissioner -- Clark Co, NV
Maureen Barrows, Commissioner -- Rockingham Co, NH
Scott Carr, Sheriff -- Carroll Co, NH
David Sorenson, Commissioner -- Carroll Co, NH
Richard Foote, Sheriff -- Carroll Co, NH
Gerald Marcou, Sheriff -- Coos Co, NH
Bronwyn Asplund-Walsh, Commissioner -- Merrimack Co, NH
J.D. Colcord, Commissioner -- Merrimack Co, NH
Dan St. Hilarie, Attorney -- Merrimack Co, NH
Scott Hilliard, Sheriff -- Merrimack Co, NH
Donald Stritch, Commissioner -- Rockingham Co, NH

Mitt Romney
Greg Adamson, Supervisor -- Scott Co, IA
Karen Buie, Clerk -- Muskegon Co, MI
Bill Bullard, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
Sue Ann Douglas, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
David Gorcyca, Prosecutor -- Oakland Co, MI
Eileen Kowall, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive -- Oakland Co, MI
Mike Rogers, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
Bret Witkowski, Treasurer -- Berrien Co, MI
Dan Collis, Sheriff -- Belknap Co, NH
Dan Linehan, Sheriff -- Rockingham Co, NH
Joe Dill, County Council -- Greenville Co, SC
Henry Fishburne, County Council -- Charleston Co, SC
Paul Thurmond, County Council -- Charleston Co, SC


For a complete list of county official endorsements, click here.

Pics from Orangeburg

Hillary Clinton was the first candidate to stop by the Orangeburg County Post Party. Here, she fires up the crowd with a little help from the South Carolina State Jazz Band.

Barack Obama speaks at the Post-Debate Party hosted by Orangeburg County.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson poses with Orangeburg County Staff and County Council Members
Orangeburg County Council Members and County Administrator with Joe Biden

Kudos to Orangeburg County

A big congratulations to the County of Orangeburg for a hugely successful debate watch and post party last night in South Carolina. The event went off without a hitch.

Over 3000 community members gathered in the S-H-M Gymnasium to watch the Democratic candidates debate on the other side of the South Carolina State campus. Immediately following the debate, the crowd was able to hear from Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Biden and Kucinich. The candidates gave breif remarks and then headed into the crowd to shake hands and sign autographs.

Check back next week for pictures from the big night.

If your county is lucky enough to host an upcoming debate, keep in mind that tickets are limited and by hosting a watch party, a larger audience gets to be part of the big night.

For the latest

You can check out all the latest Democratic Debate news at MSNBC.

And see John McCain's announcement tour here

Democrats Debate

Dateline: Orangeburg, SC

It's going to be a night of politics, food and fun and the NACo blog will be on hand to report.

Tomorrow evening, all eight Democratic candidates gather for the first debate of the 2008 Primary season. You can watch the debate live on MSNBC and MSNBC.com. Those lucky enough to get tickets will be in Orangeburg where County officials will host a Community Debate Watch and After Party featuring all eight candidates.

Not only will county officials have the chance to hear the candidates on their home turf, so will 3000 members of the community they represent.

Pics with Potential Presidents, Vol. 2

Hillsborough County Commissioner Carol Holden gets a picture with Mitt Romney during an Issues and Answers Forum in NH.

Just a typical day in New Hampshire

Commissioner Carol Holden makes the most of her state’s first in the nation primary. Just this morning she had breakfast with Rudy Giuliani. Tomorrow afternoon, she’s planning on seeing John McCain – two of the top GOP candidates in just 24 hours. In addition to her conversations with Giuliani and McCain, Carol has had the chance to speak to Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and former candidates Bill Frist and George Pataki.

And what did Carol talk to them about? County issues, of course!

Something's happening here

Need more proof that presidential candidates are hearing from our county officials?

Essential Estrogen, an Iowa-based blog has this on a recent Richardson trip to Cedar Rapids:

Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston asked how Richardson viewed the relationship between federal, state and local governments, especially in relation to funding for community block grants.

Richardson lamented the federal government's lack of funding for local and state projects "which were working and making a difference."

"I believe one of the best things we can do is make government more efficient," he added. "We need to cut the red tape and bureaucracy."

Good answer, Governor!

Pics with Potential Presidents, Vol. 1

Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd poses with Story County, Iowa Supervisor Jane Halliburton.

Talking the talk…

One of the main goals of the NACo presidential election project is getting the candidates to talk about county issues. Last week, one candidate did just that.

Last week John Edwards proposed a Rural Recovery Act to revitalize the rural economy.

Some of the highlights include:

Investing in Rural Broadband
Creating the New Energy Economy in Rural America
Guaranteeing Rural America the Funding It Needs and Is Entitled to
Improving Rural Health Care
Ridding Rural America of Methamphetamines

This follows a conversation with Edwards’ policy staff about county concerns in rural areas. NACo sent over materials to the campaign office and was pleased to see several of our issues as part of Edwards’ rural platform.

All Aboard!

County officials from across the country have begun signing on with the presidential campaigns and we’ve got the list:

Biden
Mary Maloney, Auditor - Polk Co, IA
Jim Hancock, Supervisor - Scott Co, IA
Roxanna Moritz, Supervisor - Scott Co, IA
Denise Dolan, Auditor - Dubuque Co, IA
James London, County Council - Pickens Co, SC
Damon Jeter, County Council - Richland Co, SC
Leon Lott, Sheriff - Richland Co, SC
Brad Morris, Clerk of Courts - Union, SC

Clinton
Joe DiVincenzo, County Executive - Essex Co, NJ
Brian Hughes, County Executive - Mercer Co, NJ
Joanne Rajoppi, Clerk - Union Co, NJ
Armondo Fontoura, Sheriff - Essex Co, NJ
Jerry Speziale, Sheriff - Passaic Co, NJ
Ralph Froehlich, Sheriff - Union Co, NJ
Rory Reid, Commissioner - Clark Co, NV
Bernice Scott, County Council - Richland Co, SC
Henry Darby, County Council - Charleston Co, SC
Teddy Pryor, Sr, County Council - Charleston Co, SC
Jack Kennedy, Clerk of Courts -- Wise Co, VA
Barbara Favola, County Board Member -- Arlington Co, VA

Edwards
Tena Henkel, Recorder -- Monona Co, IA
Jan Horton, Treasurer -- Webster Co, IA
Kas Kelly, Supervisor -- Muscatine Co, IA
Terry Neuzil, Supervisor - Johnson Co, IA
Gail Dorfman, Commissioner - Hennepin Co, MN
Leo Lessard, Registrar of Deeds - Strafford Co, NH
Cort Flint, County Council - Greenville Co, SC
Frank O'Leary, Treasurer -- Arlington Co, VA
Chris Zimmerman, County Board -- Arlington Co, VA
Jimmy Warren, Clerk of the Court -- Smyth Co, VA
Fred Parker, Treasurer -- Washington Co, VA

Giuliani
Michael Antonovich, Supervisor - Los Angeles Co, CA
Don Knabe, Supervisor - Los Angeles Co, CA
Jim Coats, Sheriff -- Pinellas Co, FL
John Morroni, Commissioner--Pineallas Co, FL
Brian Lee, Clerk of Courts - Hampden Co, MA
Dawn Marie Addiego, Freeholder -- Burlington Co, NJ
Ralph Bakley, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Dan Beyel, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Carl Block, Clerk -- Ocean Co, NJ
Joan Bramhall, Clerk -- Morris Co, NJ
Douglas Cabana, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
John Callinan, Sheriff -- Cape May Co, NJ
Bill Chegwidden, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Denise Coyle, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Len Desiderio, Freeholder -- Cape May Co, NJ
Gene Feyl, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Rick Fontana, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Philip Haines, Clerk -- Burlington Co, NJ
John Inglesino, Deputy Freeholder Director -- Morris Co, NJ
John Kelly, Freeholder Director -- Ocean Co, NJ
James Lacey, Freeholder --Ocean Co, NJ
Margaret Nordstrom, Freeholder Director -- Morris Co, NJ
Joseph Oxley, Sheriff -- Monmouth Co, NJ
Peter Palmer, Freeholder --Somerset Co, NJ
William Polhemus, Sheriff --Ocean Co, NJ
Frank Provenzano, Sheriff -- Somerset Co, NJ
Bret Radi, Clerk -- Somerset Co, NJ
Jack Schrier, Freeholder -- Morris Co, NJ
Ralph Sheets, Vice Freeholder Director -- Cape May Co, NJ
Sal Simonetti, Sheriff -- Warren Co, NJ
Jerry Thornton, Freeholder -- Ocean Co, NJ
Robert Untig, Sheriff -- Sussex Co, NJ
Joseph Vicari, Freeholder -- Ocean Co, NJ
Bob Zaborowski, Freeholder -- Somerset Co, NJ
Susan Zellman, Freeholder -- Sussex Co, NJ
Edward Diana, County Executive -- Orange Co, NY
Gregory Edwards, County Executive -- Chautauqua Co, NY
Joel Giambra, County Executive -- Erie Co, NY
Kathleen Jimino, County Executive -- Rensselaer Co, NY
James Molinaro, County Executive -- Richmond Co, NY
Thomas Santulli, County Executive -- Chemung Co, NY
Scott Vanderhoef, County Executive -- Rockland Co, NY
Robert Larkin, Commissioner -- Washoe Co, NV
Mike Ryan, County Council -- Horry Co, SC

McCain
Hoss Mack, Sheriff -- Baldwin Co, AL
Wayne Gruenloh, Commissioner -- Baldwin Co, AL
Skip Gruber, Commissioner -- Baldwin Co, AL
Greg White, Commissioner -- Covington Co, AL
Mike Dean, Commissioner -- Mobile Co, AL
Don Stapley, Supervisor - Maricopa Co, AZ
Leroy Baca, Sheriff - Los Angeles Co, CA
Mary McCarty, Commissioner - Palm Beach Co, FL
Carlos Alvarez, Mayor - Miami-Dade Co, FL
Javier Souto, Commissioner -Miami-Dade Co, FL
David Gee, Sheriff -- Hillsborough Co, FL
Mark Sharpe, Commissioner -- Hillsborough Co, FL
Dennis Conrad, Sheriff -- Scott Co, IA
Joe McDonald, Sheriff - Plymouth Co, MA
Ruth Johnson, Clerk - Oakland Co, MI
Mike Anderson, Sheriff - Kalamzoo Co, MI
Dale Gribler, Sheriff - Van Buren Co, MI
Matt Lori, Sheriff - St. Joseph Co, MI
Bill French, Commissioner - Kalamazoo Co, MI
Jeff Heppler, Commissioner - Kalamazoo Co, MI
Bob Bezotte, Sheriff -- Livingston Co, MI
Bruce Woodbury, Commissioner -- Clark Co, NV
Maureen Barrows, Commissioner -- Rockingham Co, NH
Scott Carr, Sheriff -- Carroll Co, NH
David Sorenson, Commissioner -- Carroll Co, NH
Richard Foote, Sheriff -- Carroll Co, NH
Gerald Marcou, Sheriff -- Coos Co, NH
Bronwyn Asplund-Walsh, Commissioner -- Merrimack Co, NH
J.D. Colcord, Commissioner -- Merrimack Co, NH
Dan St. Hilarie, Attorney -- Merrimack Co, NH
Scott Hilliard, Sheriff -- Merrimack Co, NH
Donald Stritch, Commissioner -- Rockingham Co, NH
Ed Carroll, Sheriff - Barnwell Co, SC
PJ Tanner, Sheriff - Beaufort Co, SC
Bill Blanton, Sheriff - Cherokee Co, SC
Lane Cribb, Sheriff - Georgetown Co, SC
Steve Loftis, Sheriff - Greenville Co, SC
Dan Wideman, Sheriff - Greenwood Co, SC
Ricky Chastain, Sheriff - Laurens Co, SC
James Metts, Sheriff - Lexington Co, SC
James Singleton, Sheriff - Oconee Co, SC
Chuck Wright, Sheriff - Spartanburg Co, SC
Rock Adams, County Council -- Spartanburg Co, SC
Billy Baldwin, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Wesley Blackwell, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Curwood Chappell, County Council -- York Co, SC
Ron Charlton, County Council -- Georgetown Co, SC
Randy Crenshaw, County Council -- Pickens Co, SC
Bob Grabowski, County Council -- Horry Co, SC
Jonny Jeffcoat, County Council -- Lexington Co, SC
Marion Lyles, County Council -- Oconee Co, SC
Bill McAbee, County Council -- Anderson Co, SC
Carl Schwartkopf, County Council -- Horry Co, SC
Buzz Shaw, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Mario Suarez, County Council -- Oconee Co, SC
Scott Singer, County Council -- Aiken Co, SC
John Wells, County Council -- Kershaw Co, SC
Bailey Humphries, County Council -- Cherokee Co, SC
Steve Kelly, County Council -- Kershaw Co, SC


Obama
Rod Sullivan, Supervisor - Johnson Co, IA
Ronald Chagnon, Commissioner - Strafford Co, NH
Thomas Drayton, County Council -- Georgetown Co, SC

Richardson
Gloria Molina, Supervisor -- Los Angeles Co, CA
Michael Cryans, Commissioner - Grafton Co, NH
Chris Durkin, Clerk - Essex Co, NJ

Romney
Joe Arpaio, Sheriff - Maricopa Co, AZ
Ann Hildebrand, Commissioner - Pasco Co, FL
David Russell, Jr, Commissioner - Hernando Co, FL
Bruno Barreiro, Commissioner - Miami-Dade Co, FL
Sam Olen, Commissioner - Cobb Co, GA
Greg Adamson, Supervisor -- Scott Co, IA
Joni Ernst, Auditor - Montgomery Co, IA
Mary Mosiman, Auditor - Story Co, IA
Frank Cousins, Sheriff - Essex Co, MA
James Cummings, Sheriff - Barnstable Co, MA
Tom Hodgson, Sheriff - Bristol Co, MA
Vaughn Beck, Commissioner -- Bay Co, MI
Karen Buie, Clerk -- Muskegon Co, MI
Bill Bullard, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
Jan Bunting, Commissioner -- Gratiot Co, MI
Sue Ann Douglas, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
David Gorcyca, Prosecutor -- Oakland Co, MI
Scott Haines, Register of Deeds -- Midland Co, MI
Eileen Kowall, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
James Leibeg, Commissioner -- Midland Co, MI
Jerry Nielson, Sheriff -- Midland Co, MI
L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive -- Oakland Co, MI
Mike Rogers, Commissioner -- Oakland Co, MI
Bret Witkowski, Treasurer -- Berrien Co, MI
Dan Collis, Sheriff -- Belknap Co, NH
Dan Linehan, Sheriff -- Rockingham Co, NH
Toni Pappas, Commissioner - Hillsborough Co, NH
Bing Judd, Commissioner - Coos Co, NH
Peter Heed, Attorney - Cheshire Co, NH
Jim Reams, Attorney - Rockingham Co, NH
Jason Booth, Sheriff - Saluda Co, SC
Joe Dill, County Council -- Greenville Co, SC
Henry Fishburne, County Council -- Charleston Co, SC
Paul Thurmond, County Council -- Charleston Co, SC

They’re EVERYWHERE!!!

While the people of Iowa and New Hampshire find themselves up to their eyeballs in presidential candidates, the candidates are finding that wherever they go, there is a county official nearby.

One of our Iowa county officials likes to recount a conversation with Barack Obama…He walked up to the Senator and handed him NACo materials on the election project in an effort to education Obama on important county issues. As he looked over the brochure, the senator said, “I received the same material in Cedar Rapids earlier today.”

But it didn’t stop there….the following day, Obama was approached by our Story County contingent and once again got the message that county issues need to be a priority in his campaign.

From the Courthouse to the White House

As the candidates for President crisscross the nation, county officials are opening their doors and inviting them to learn about county issues. Since the start of 2007, NACo has encouraged county officials to attend over 200 events and the list is growing every day. Our county officials have spoken to the majority of the candidates. The officials are leaders in their communities and in touch with the pulse of the people. It’s a great opportunity for the candidates to learn about America’s counties and the problems they face every day. County officials across the nation are ready and willing to work with the next President to find solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.

NACo represents over 38,000 county officials across the country and the 241 million residents that they serve.