GOP presidential debate to be held Saturday at Peace Center

Published 6:48 PM EST Feb 11, 2016
Corey Davis

GREENVILLE, S.C. —Thousands of people are trying to go to the GOP presidential debate at the Peace Center in Greenville.

It would take a venue that is 11 times the size of the Peace Center to hold everyone who tried to get a ticket through the lottery system.

GOP leaders said the Peace Center isn’t large enough, so the Republican National Committee decided not to go with a lottery system.

"If we had not had it at the Peace Center we probably would have had more people come, but the Peace Center is the venue that CBS chose,” said Chad Groover, chairman of the Greenville County Republican party.

Groover said supporters who work hard for the party will be rewarded tickets.

People selected will fill the 1,900 seats that have been made available for the event, according to Groover.

Groover said the Republican National Committee gives a lot of tickets to supporters. He said more are then allocated for the state party to distribute among the county chairs.

"I didn't have hundreds of tickets. I had a couple of dozen tickets,” said Groover.

Groover said he gave tickets to supporters, including elected officials, who work hard for the party.

"You'll have a good mix of people who are donors, people who are donors and workers, and people who are just workers,” said Groover.

Groover is encouraging everyone to come out and volunteer for the party they support.

"I think not for the motive of getting debate tickets but for the motive of producing a better society I think getting involved in the political process makes sense,” said Groover.

Groover said some tickets might become available if people cancel but he said there is no guarantee.

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