GRANT COUNTY — The Grant County Republican Party re-organized Saturday.

Tom Dent served as the party chair for nearly seven years. At the meeting he was elected to be the state committee man.

“I have decided not to seek another term as the Grant County chairman,” he said. “Serving as the chairman of the Grant County Republican Party is the absolute highlight of my life. I believe it is time for new leadership. I have been honored to serve the Republicans of Grant County. Serving you has been a highlight of my life. For all who have answered my call to volunteerism I am truly grateful.”

As the state committee man, he will work with several broader issues affecting the state.

Dent said he is most excited to work with grassroots committees and hopes to help motivate volunteers to get Republican officials elected in the future. He also hopes to get more people involved with the party.

Dent wants to help the Republican Party become a movement from the bottom up rather than from the top down. Dent explained elections should be a grassroots movement created by voters and how it seems the party has gone a different direction in recent years. He hopes to re-establish its original ideals.

“I want to make sure we take it back to the working man,” he said.

Dent said Democrats have tried to make it appear the Republican Party is only comprised of wealthy people when it’s really people who work for a living to take care of their families.

During the re-organizational meeting, three other offices were elected by the party. Elections are held every two years.

Mike Shay was elected as the new party chairman. Dana Dent was elected as the new vice-chair. She was previously a state committee woman. The new state committee woman is Dani Bolyard.

The secretary and treasurer of the party are appointed positions. They have not been selected yet and will be selected by the new party chairman.