With primary contests already set for numerous area offices, Cape Girardeau County Republicans will gather this weekend for their annual Lincoln Day celebration.

Along with a keynote speech from former U.S. senator Jim Talent, the GOP faithful will hear Saturday evening from U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who is seeking the party's nomination to replace U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, as well as incumbent state officeholders and candidates for legislative seats.

Lisa Reitzel, chairwoman of the Lincoln Day event for the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club, said she doesn't expect primary electioneering to dampen the dinner.

"I think it is exciting," she said. "Everybody is ready to get out there and work for their party."

Republican primaries are already set in the contests for the 157th and 158th District Missouri House seats, as well as Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner and county auditor. At the Lincoln Day dinner, the audience will hear from candidates for legislative seats. Candidates for county offices will be recognized but not brought to the microphone, Reitzel said.

Talent was defeated in 2006 as he sought a full term in the Senate. A former U.S. representative from St. Louis, Talent was a Republican leader in the Missouri House and a candidate for governor in 2000.

Talent is honorary chairman and founder of the American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation, a Missouri-based group focusing on free-market solutions to national issues, and a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where he specializes in military readiness issues.

Lawyer and author David Limbaugh will be the master of ceremonies.

The location is changed this year, Reitzel said. The gathering will be held at The Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way, instead of the Arena Building.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

80 S. Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Want to go?

Lincoln Day at the Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets are available at the Horizon Screen Printing, 430 Broadway, JCS Wireless, 1606 N. Kingshighway and the Cash-Book Journal, 210 W. Main St. in Jackson.