Delegates selected at Cheyenne County Democratic Caucus on Saturday

Just over 70 Democrats filled the room at the Cheyenne County Community Center in Sidney on Saturday for the presidential caucus, and local party members voted for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Voters in Cheyenne County joined Democrats in the state's other 92 counties in selecting delegates for the state convention. Sanders won 57.1 percent of the vote statewide, compared to 42.9 percent for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In Cheyenne County, there were 44 votes for Sanders and 28 votes for Clinton, according to the state party's website.

"It isn't easy being a minority in a state of red," said Clara Benisek, organizer for the Cheyenne County Democratic Caucus.

Benisek said this Democratic caucus was the third held in the county, with the first taking place in 2008.

"Last time, the turnout wasn't very good because (President Barack) Obama was the only one running," she said. "This time, there's a lot more interest because we have two candidates that are viable."

To participate in the county caucus, attendees had to be eligible to vote in the state of Nebraska and at least 18 years old on election day, set for Nov. 8 this year. They also had to be a registered Nebraska Democrat or register as such prior to or at the caucus.

The Cheyenne County Democratic Caucus began shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday with the pledge of allegiance. Moderator Ben Darling then explained how the caucus would run.

The floor was opened up to attendees to stand up and voice support for their choice for presidential nominee in an effort to sway any undecided voters at the caucus.

Kelsey Hauge was the first to speak, voicing her support for Sanders as the nominee. She said at first, she started out as a Clinton supporter. Her opinion changed, however, after watching Sanders on television.

"Once I started figuring out who he was and what he stood for, there was no way as a liberal that I could vote for Hillary at that point," Hauge said. "Because I'm so far left, and his views just coorelate with mine."

Hauge described Sanders as "very genuine."

"I just feel that Bernie is more solid," she said. "He's been that way his entire life. While he was marching with Martin Luther King Jr., (Clinton) was campaigning for a Republican. Keep that in mind."

Benisek also spoke in favor of Sanders, telling attendees that he will work to improve health benefits for veterans and protect social security.

"Which I think for most of us in this room is important," she said.

Speaking for Clinton was Bill Willburn, who compared Sanders' promises to socialism.

"Folks, we can't give free tuition to all college students and raise taxes this much," Willburn said, holding up his thumb and index finger close together. "We can't take care of the military and raise taxes this much."

Willburn said there is a lot of concern over Clinton keeping and using a private email account while she served at Secretary of State, but pointed out that former secretaries of state Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell also admitted to doing the same.

"Other people had them," he said. "Some people get caught, and we talk and talk and talk it down."

At times, debate became heated as attendees spoke passionately about their choice of candidate.

"There's a big difference between socialism and Democratic socialism," Hauge said. "(Sanders) wants our taxes to go towards things that we need. Not towards bailing out Wall Street, not towards bailing out big banks and not towards bailing out big corporations. He wants the money that we pay in taxes to go to us."

"No, he wants it to go to all college students so they can go to school for nothing," Willburn said. "I'm sorry that I got overheated, but Bernie would be my second choice. But that's like saying second is good, and I don't believe second place is worthwhile. You've got to be at the top."

While passions were occasionally high, the caucus remained united in one goal.

"My main concern is that the Republicans don't get in," Willburn said. "If Hillary isn't your choice, I'll live with your choice. I just don't think Donald (Trump)'s quite got it."

"We can change the complex of Congress," Kevin Beeken said. "We've got to get out there and wake more people up."

Once the floor was closed to further discussion, attendees each filled out a presidential preference card to choose their nominee.

The caucus concluded with Darling having supporters for each candidate to group on opposing sides in the room so they could determine whether each potential candidate had the required 15 percent to be considered viable.

In the end, one delegate and an alternate were selected for both Sanders and Clinton.

Representing Cheyenne County in the Sanders camp will be Tina Fankhauser. Craig Long is the alternate.

For Clinton, Amy Riggs will represent Cheyenne County at the state convention. The alternate is Tanya Lewis.

The state convention will be held in Kearney from June 17-19. From there, delegates and super delegates will represent the state at the national convention in Philadelphia July 25-28.