Lee County Republican Party Chairman Rod Herring told me the dinner attracted more than 425 people, and it was apparent as I tried to find a seat. People were tightly packed around tables that were crammed into every corner of the room. Servers sometimes had a difficult time getting between tables with their plates.

Events like these are one-stop shopping for anyone interested in meeting candidates for office. Since the people who come to these functions are highly active party leaders, candidates never miss an opportunity to gladhand them. That was true Thursday, as hundreds of signs from at least 10 different candidates peppered the road leading into the Marriott Grand National in Opelika.

Elected officials and candidates in attendance included State Auditor Samantha Shaw; State Treasurer Kay Ivey; Public Service Commission presidential hopeful Jack Hornady; PSC candidate and former Alabama Republican Party chair Twinkle Cavanaugh; state representatives Mike Hubbard and DuWayne Bridges; Court of Criminal Appeals hopefuls Duncan Crow, Peggy Givhan, Beth Kellum, Chris Mixon, Judge Teresa Bearden Petelos and Mary Windom; Court of Civil Appeals Judge Bill Thompson; Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones; Lee County Probate Judge Bill English; Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price; Lee County commissioners Mathan Holt and Johnny Lawrence; Lee County School Board candidate Milford Burkhalter; Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller; Opelika city councilmen Jerry Teel, Bill Lazenby and Eddie Smith; Phenix City Mayor Jeff Hardin; Phenix City Councilman Ray Bush; Smiths Station Mayor LaFaye Dellinger and Valley City Councilman Ray Edwards.