No matter what your political party affiliation may be, local community involvement is something Bedford County Republican chairman Bo Gill hopes more people will do.

And for Gill, there are multiple components to this, for instance, education, working together, and putting “boots on the ground.”

With this, they hope to garner more voters. During the last election, the total number of registered voters in Bedford County was just over 28,000. But only 4,300 voters turned out for the last general election, according to the post-election summary report. That’s 15%.

“What we’re trying to do is flip it over so the people who haven’t voted, vote, and target them especially at this time, and target them by trying to get them involved,” Gill said. “The main thing is getting people involved. It’s really not a partisan issue.”

Often, local politics are overshadowed by hot-button national issues. But Gill said the local level is where it should all start.

Getting involved is something Gill says he’s been striving to do for about the last decade. Born and raised in Bedford County, Gill is also on the Shelbyville planning commission and is a deacon at Fairhaven Baptist Church in addition to working his job as a residential real estate appraiser. 

“This is home. This is all I want. And I’ve always seen the potential we have,” he said.

Hoping to inspire this “servants’ heart” in other people relates to the GOP’s current slogan: “Commitment to America and its founding principles.” Those principles, according to Gill, are limited government, liberty, equality, justice, and defending the rule of law.

Gill said it’s important for candidates identifying as Republicans to attend the local GOP meetings regularly because it is important for voters to know whom they are voting for.

“It was intended for them [officials] to serve the people…My main objective right now is to reignite that fire not in a way that divides but in a way that unites to make it back to who we really are,” said Gill.

One way to unite is to use the 80/20 method. That is, if you can agree on 80%, what are some ways to “reach across the aisle” on the 20%.

“You can’t get anything done if you don’t reach across the aisle. It’s not just compromise — you can’t compromise on Constitutional principles,” said Gill.

For instance, Gill said everyone pretty much agrees that school safety in today’s world is a top priority. But how to fund that school safety — whether it be through a wheel tax or not — is where the discussion happens.

Or, though not advocating for higher taxes, Gill said, “You have to pay for things in order to have a better place…so a lot of the old mindset is going to have to be wiped away that maybe we do need to raise taxes in a responsible way.”

The concerns, according to Gill, boil down to the city’s and county’s budgets and how the money is being spent. “If we could all get on the same page and know transparently what’s going on, I think that more people would be glad to give their tax money. If you want good police officers, fireman, roads, you’ve got to pay for it,” he said.

Part of this also includes asking questions and holding elected officials accountable in order to see the fruits of one’s labor. “That’s what they are: servants and representatives,” he said.

Though a lot of pressure is put on the officials, they need to hear from the citizens about the issues. This is where involvement is key, according to Gill.

That could look like attending meetings, making phone calls (not just to elected officials, but to the GOP executive committee), and, of course, voting.

As far as election confidence goes, Gill said he feels “safe” here in Bedford County, applauding all the work of the election’s office.

“The main goal is to preserve what we have but to grow it with a healthy growth,” said Gill.

 “I wear the Republican party hat as the chairman. But my allegiance is to America and the Constitution.”

The next meeting will be Monday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Microtel conference room. A speaker is to follow. Gill said one of the challenges is getting their own place, which they hope to do soon.

Follow their Instagram @bcrp2023 for merchandise and updates.

“I would invite any Democrat, Independent, or undecided…come check us out. Give us a shot because it’s us together. It’s going to take a lot of different minds and ideas to form it together,” said Gill.