Events

The Franklin County Patriots will meet at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2026.  This important meeting will be designated for finalizing the organization's bylaws and mission. 

North Carolina Court of Appeals candidate Michael C. Byrne will be the guest speaker at the August 13 Franklin County Republican Meeting. All Republicans are invited to attend.

The Administrative Law Judge lives in Cary and grew up in Wake County. He earned his B.A. in English with university and departmental honors from North Carolina State University. He then earned his law degree from Campbell University, where he served as editor of the Campbell Law Observer.

After several years of trial and appellate practice in North Carolina’s State and Federal courts, Byrne restricted his law practice to representing law enforcement and public employees in the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Between 2005 and 2020, Byrne appeared in more than 270 cases in OAH, serving as a referral attorney for multiple law enforcement organizations.

Byrne litigated more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals as an attorney, including law enforcement and correctional officers who were allegedly wrongfully fired or disciplined. Cases Byrne won on behalf of NC law enforcement are now regularly cited in similar cases by OAH and the Court of Appeals. Byrne also submitted amicus (friend of the court) briefs in Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases for public employee and law enforcement groups.

In June 2020, Byrne was sworn in as an Administrative Law Judge, where he has issued more than 400 decisions. Ten decisions were appealed to the Court of Appeals. All were unanimously upheld.

Byrne's judicial philosophy is summarized by the one-sentence directive the Chief Judge at OAH gave him when he first started there: “Get it right.” He believes passionately in due process, fairness, giving all sides a chance to be heard, and deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor.

The meeting begins with a light supper at 6:30 p.m. Side dishes and desserts are appreciated. A $5 per person donation to help offset the cost of hot dogs, buns, beverages, and paper products is requested.

The business meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

From 2013–2019 this was East Wake’s signature gathering — often 1,000+ strong. It’s back. Smithfield’s BBQ, stars and stripes, and North Carolina leaders on the program.

Speakers: Congressman Brad Knott (confirmed); Michael Whatley (NC Senate candidate), Senator Ted Budd, Congressman Mark Harris (invited).

Click here to learn more.

Sponsored by the East Wake Republican Club. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.