Two Fayette County residents were elected to serve as officers of the nine-county Republican 3rd District.

Peter Pfeifer of Peachtree City defeated opponent Steve Hicks from Pike County and Barbara Scruggs from Coweta County for the top seat as district chairman. Kathy Chamberlin, past Fayette County Republican Party chairman, was elected 3rd District secretary as part of the slate of officers proposed by Pfeifer. The district includes Fayette, Coweta, Clayton, Henry, Pike, Spalding, Harris, Meriwether and Muscogee counties.

The District Convention was conducted in Henry County at the new Performing Arts Center. Fayette County had the strongest showing for the convention with delegates including state Sen. Rick Price, County Commissioner Herb Frady, Ronnie Chance, Tom Parker, Eric Dial and other local Republicans.

Pfeifer has served as the district vice chairman, is past county chairman and has served in numerous other offices of the local, district and state Republican Party. He has assisted in a variety of capacities on the campaigns of numerous candidates including Guy Millner, Bob Lenox, Paul Coverdell, Mac Collins, Greg Dunn, Rick Price and Bob Dole.

Pfeifer ran on a platform of winning. He said, "Winning elections is not a 'top down' process. If the state party or the district party leadership ignores the opinions and knowledge of the local leadership, they will fail."

He feels the number one function of the district chairman is to "represent the county parties on the State Executive Committee." He added, "As your representative to the State Executive Committee, it will be my job to make known your opinions and your knowledge of the local conditions."

Henry County state Rep. Steve Cash gave a brief update of the last legislative session. Mike Collins, son of U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, read a speech penned by his father, who had been called away and was unable to attend. Ed and Ruth Cole of Henry County received a Lifetime Achievement Award for service to the party.

Chuck Clay, running for the state party chair, also spoke briefly to the crowd of delegates. The New Dawn Quartet entertained the group while votes were being counted.

Other state committee members are Dennis Hill of Coweta County, first vice chairman; Wanda Tshudy with Collins' office will serve as second vice chairman; Jim Henry Jr. will be third vice chairman, and Susan Hindsman is fourth vice chairman.

Other committee members include Bob McIntyre, Kevin Early, Ed Wallace, Kenny Atha, Bud Kelly Jr., Charles Neely, Betty Hanbrick, Trish Mercer, David Roberts, Bob Bolia, Jerome Finley, Tom McBroom and Eric Dial.