The Chattooga County Republican Party held closed-door meetings yesterday with potential political candidates wishing to qualify for office in Chattooga County. 

The meetings were held at the Senior Center in Summerville. Candidates who attended the pre-qualification interviews who spoke with WZQZ News after their interview told us that they were asked when they became Republicans and why they were Republicans and if they supported the “values” of the Republican Party.

Local party officials ran a notice in the local paper this week saying that they would not allow the public or the news media to attend the secret sessions.  The five-person panel says that they have the authority to decide who will appear on the Republican Primary ballot in May.

The local party qualifies candidates for county-wide office.  They have no say in Republicans who wish to run for state offices such as state representative or state senate.  Those candidates qualify with the state party in Atlanta.