The Decatur County Republican Women will host their regular monthly meeting, Monday, with a special guest speaker.

Don Bates Jr. has begun his campaign for the United States Senate and will be discussing the importance of women in the political process. He is working to combat current senator Evan Bayh.

Bates has worked in the financial services industry for 14 years and has served as the First Vice President and Branch Manager of Wells Fargo Advisors for 10 years. He also serves on the board of directors for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana and the Starr Gennett Foundation. He is a member of the Richmond Rotary Club and the Richmond Lions club and will be celebrating his 40th birthday on the day he speaks to the local Republican Women.

He was raised in Greensburg, educated in Columbus and now resides in Winchester while working in Richmond. He graduated from Bethel Holiness Christian School in Columbus in 1987 and Bible Ministry Institute in Rock Island, Ill. He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 15 years and have two sons, Trae, 13, and Blake, 10.

He considers himself a Raegan Republican, hoping to combat rising taxes, invasion of business, nationalized healthcare and other items that have the potential to damage the American dream, his press information states.

For the Republican Women, this final meeting of 2009 holds the promise of readying local women for the political races of 2010. Not only is the club gearing up for next year in the community’s political arena but also for its own coming year and the election of officers for the group itself, Secretary Ruthe Ainsworth explained.

With many positions up for election next year, the club is embarking upon a series of informational speakers to give its members the education they need to participate in the political process in whatever way they wish.

“We want women to be involved in next year’s election,” Ainsworth said. “Voting isn’t the only thing we need to do.”

The club not only works towards the election of party candidates but also supports those already in office. Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) and State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) attend the meetings most months and offer the club a chance to keep themselves aware of the goings-on at the Statehouse, Ainsworth said.

Those interested in participating in the Republican Women’s Club can attend meetings at the Republican Headquarters on South Broadway Street at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.

Questions about this month’s meeting can be directed to Ainsworth at 662-8474. Space is limited and attendance is reserved for members or potential members of the club.