CASS COUNTY – As the nation gets ready for a new president, local Cass County Republican and Democratic chairmen are giving their thoughts on the upcoming inauguration, scheduled for today.

The number of Democrats boycotting Trump’s inauguration has continued to grow-and was near 50 on Tuesday – including Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, a top contender to lead the Democratic National Committee, as well as many black and Hispanic lawmakers. Top Democrats like House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York will attend, however, and none of the Senate Democrats said they would skip the inauguration.

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer shrugged off the protest and indicated they would give away the seats.

“We’d love for every member of Congress to attend but if they don’t, we’ve got some great seats for others to partake in. It’s a shame that these folks don’t want to be part of the peaceful transfer of power,” Spicer told reporters on a morning call.

Cass County Republican Chairman David Wiederstein said he was “looking forward to watching it on TV,” and said, “Beyond the tweets, I’m very impressed with Trump’s calmness amidst everything all that’s going on.” And referring to “everything that is going on,” Wiederstein said the attitude in Washington is not really “starting off on the right foot.”

Sherry Toelle, chairman of the Cass County Democratic Party, said, about the inauguration in general, “The Democratic party respects the position of president. However, we oppose President-Elect Trump’s rhetoric, much of his agenda and many of his cabinet nominations. We hope that he will moderate both his rhetoric and his policies, working for the entirety of Americans. If he does not do so, we will continue to fight for what we believe in.”