By JESSICA SIEFF

Niles Daily Star

Berrien County’s Grand Old Party will brave the heat and hold their annual summer picnic Sunday in Niles.

With the August primary election nearing, the race to November is heating up as well.

“The primaries this year are very important because they have the votes up here for the precinct delegates,” said Berrien County GOP Chairman Mike Gary.

Those delegates will have the chance to nominate significant state posts including attorney general and secretary of state.

Hitting the polls Aug. 3 is also important, Gary said, “to start getting people engaged for the November election.”

With the state poised for new leadership at the gubernatorial level both parties are in a position to change the direction of a struggling state.

The Berrien County GOP picnic, being held Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Madeline Bertrand Park is the group’s annual fundraiser.

“This time I think we’ve got several candidates coming down to meet and greet and speak to the group,” Gary said.

The mood is upbeat, he added.

“We feel very positive, we’ve got more people involved with us in 2010 than we had in 2008 or 2006 and we’re very encouraged about the fall elections,” he said.

Party members seem to be bringing with them many of the same concerns held during the 2008 election — namely economy, jobs.

Especially pertinent to the state and local levels is the need to change policy would not only attract new business but help grow the businesses still trying to keep the doors open in the Great Lakes state.

In the tradition of “a big family picnic,” Gary said candidates will have the opportunity to meet with those in attendance and there will baked goods for sale as well.

One hot topic that may or may not be on the minds of candidates and voters is the role of the increasingly strong Tea Party movement. A handful of Tea Party events have been held in and around Michiana.

Gary said Tea Party supporters share those concerns of the GOP.

“They’re concerned with the economy, they’re concerned about jobs, they’re concerned about healthcare,” he said. “Many of those items are right with the Republican banner.”

Gary said even though the Tea Party considers itself “nonpolitical,” the GOP has “been able to have conversations” with the group and that they are getting more engaged with the issues.

“There has been a push back,” Gary said, from those who may have felt defeated in 2008. Two years later, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has come and gone and the health care bill is still a hot source for debate.

“The Republicans really feel it’s a bottom up government,” he said, adding “the massive debt coming down the road at us” is another concern held by voters.

Gary said he feels there are plenty of strong contenders poised for the primaries.

“They’re all good people,” he said. “All of them will do very, very well in he November election.”