2023 NCGOP Convention

On Thursday, June 8th my husband and I traveled to Greensboro, NC to attend the 2023 North Carolina Republican Convention. We attended the welcome reception with investigative journalist and CEO of “Just the News” media, John Solomon. 

He stressed the need for alternative news sources.  He stressed” if you own the narrative, you own the election”.  Simple phrases. Five minute conversations.  He said we must pay extreme attention to early voting.  We must demand a fair counting of ballots.  He said that emphasizing the human factor, children, mother and family issues are paramount.  The fact that 85,000 children were lost at the border is truly appalling.  He believes this election is crucial to America.  “Our civil liberties are in the greatest danger”.

If you have never attended a NCGOP convention it is worth the time and effort it takes to be a delegate from your precinct and going!  There were extensive training sessions from fundraising, to campaigning, to meeting other organizations within the GOP such as the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of NC, to treasurer training and several sessions on getting out the vote and winning the Early Ballot War in 2024.
Everyone there is available to help and support your efforts with information and good ideas.

The heart of the convention is, of course, the formal business meetings.  It is essential to know the NCGOP party rules, resolutions, platform and plan of organization. 

There was robust debate this year over the election of the NCGOP Chair position and the NCGOP VP Chair position which were up for election.  Due to the length of the debates only credentials, rules and the resolutions didn’t get done in the first session on Friday afternoon as the delegates were keen on hearing from FL. Governor Ron DeSantis at the Friday night dinner. 

After briefly mentioning the former president and giving a detailed introduction of himself, Governor DeSantis covered his accomplishments in Florida which were extensive.  He was energetic, passionate and stayed on topic and he puts Republican values to work. Certainly impressive!  

The convention met all day Saturday.  The kick-off was short speeches by the NC gubernatorial candidates; Mark Walker, Dale Folwell and Mark Robinson. All very impressive in their service records and commitment to their constituency. Mark Robinson seemed to be the convention favorite from the great applause and cheers from the delegates. Then we heard from Tricia Cotham, member of NC House of Representatives, who switched parties in April 2023 giving the Republicans a super majority in the NC House of Representatives.  A former school teacher and single mother of two boys, Tricia gave a stirring speech of what she and her boys have endured from the Dems after switching parties.  She is a true patriot!

The convention took up the business of finishing the resolutions and adjourned early to attend lunch with former Vice President, Mike Pence.  Former VP gave some reference to the former president taking credit for their mutual efforts, but separated himself from the January 6th event.  He did express concern over the current treatment of the former president.  Mr. Pence was well spoken, measured in his comments and clear in his devotion to the US Constitution and its principles, not to personalities. He has experience in governing and a clear vision for America.  His speech was met with warm affirmation from the delegates.

The afternoon and last session of the convention started off with a change in rules allowed by the party plan of organization as a candidate was extremely anxious to hold the elections before hearing reports from the platform committee and the plan of organization committee.  So, nominations were taken for the NC GOP State Chair position.

Nominees were Michael Whatley and John Kane.  There was electronic voting which was debated and contested, but determined to be in order.  The vote did take place and by a credible margin Michael Whatley won the NCGOP Chair position.  

The convention had to adjourn as there was no quorum present for the NC GOP VP Chair election. The meeting was adjourned and the delegates rushed to attend the dinner with former president Donald Trump.  Trump spoke for an hour and a half about his experiences and what faced America now and in the future.  He feels he is the only candidate with the credibility and experience to stand up to the challenges ahead at home and abroad.  The dinner audience gave the former president rousing applause and listened carefully to his experiences, his accomplishments and some of the resulting consequences.

I bought a pin with the three presidential candidates’ faces and names on it.  I believe we were seeing history being made at this past NCGOP convention. The next 18 months leading up to the 2024 US Presidential election will be momentous for America. 

Be  part of this great moment in time.  Join the High Country Republican women or get involved with the Haywood County GOP.  Now is the time! 

Paula Eachus

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