Wells County Republicans Announce 2026 Lincoln Day Dinner Featuring Scott Rasmussen

Bluffton, IN – The Wells County Republican Party has announced details for its 2026 Lincoln Day Dinner, the party’s annual fundraiser and the largest Republican gathering in Wells County. The dinner will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Wells County Community Center, located at 1240 4-H Park Road in Bluffton.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Scott Rasmussen, one of the nation’s most respected public opinion analysts and political commentators. Rasmussen is the president of RMG Research and the founder of the Napolitan Institute. He is widely known for his ability to translate public opinion into meaningful insight on the political climate in the United States.

Rasmussen has had a career defined by innovation. He was a founder of ESPN in 1978, helping to transform sports broadcasting through emerging satellite technology. In the 1990s, he became the first pollster to publish survey data directly to the public online, changing how political data was shared and consumed. He later revolutionized the polling industry through automated polling methods and was described by The Wall Street Journal as a key player in modern political analysis. 

In recent years, Rasmussen’s work has focused on highlighting the growing disconnect between everyday Americans and a small elite class shaping public policy. Through research conducted by the Napolitan Institute, he has documented the existence of an “Elite 1%” whose views are often dramatically out of step with voters. His research included the first-ever national survey of federal government managers, revealing that many senior bureaucrats are more closely aligned with elite viewpoints than with the citizens they serve.

Rasmussen is also a New York Times bestselling author and a frequent contributor to national discussions on politics, culture, and public opinion. He lives in Texas with his wife, and they have two adult children. 

“This is the biggest Republican event we host all year, and bringing someone of Scott Rasmussen’s national stature to Bluffton is an extraordinary opportunity for our party and community,” said Wells County Republican Party Chairman Preston T. Wright. “Scott has a unique ability to explain where the American people truly stand, and his message could not be more timely as we head into a critical election season.” 

The 2026 Lincoln Day Dinner will take place less than one month before the Indiana Primary Election on May 5, at a time when several contested races across the state will be decided. With Republican nominations on the line, the event offers a timely opportunity to gather, engage, and hear from a nationally recognized voice. Republicans across Wells County and throughout Indiana will not want to miss this important evening.

Tickets and sponsorships are on sale now and will be available through March 31. Additional event details, sponsorship information, and ticket purchases can be found at wells.gop/lincoln.

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