Dennis Schminke can summarize the Mower County Republican Party convention’s goals in a single sentiment: “We really need to get rid of this Obamacare thing.”

The annual convention takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mower County Senior Center in Austin. High on the priority list for even-year conventions like this one is electing two slates of delegates from Mower, said Schminke, the Mower County GOP chair.

One set of delegates will go to the state’s first congressional district, he said, which covers 22 counties stretching across southern Minnesota from the South Dakota border all the way to the Mississippi River. The other will go to the State Republican Convention in St. Cloud, Minn.

“If it’s anything like two years ago, either the candidates themselves or representatives will be here trying to make an impression on people,” Schminke said.

The county GOP expects a number of candidates to attend, according to its news release. Schminke said he does not have an estimate of exactly how many will be there, but said the conflicts in scheduling are likely to make attending the event difficult for some.

“We’re in the convention season,” he said. “The chances are pretty good there are several conventions this weekend.” Each candidate who does attend will be allowed podium time to appeal for support from delegates.

Also on the agenda is a number of proposed resolutions geared toward inclusion in the state party platform. While they focus on the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, a number will deal with right-to-life issues. Some of the matters are likely to generate controversy, Schminke said.

“There must be 15 or so resolutions that must be considered at the county convention,” he said. “It can get kind of long, tedious and even kind of contentious.”

Any platform resolutions that pass on Saturday will move another level up the chain to the district convention, Schminke said.

Registration for the convention begins at 9 a.m., with a targeted ending time of noon.