February 2026 GOP Meeting Minutes

Franklin County Republican Party

Executive Committee Meeting

February 12, 2026

Opening: Chairman Ed Strickland opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. There were 35 in attendance.  A light meal of hot dogs, sides and drinks were provided by members of the party.

Invocation:  Harry Upchurch.

Pledge:   Howard Lasher.

Secretary’s Report:  

The Secretary’s Report is available on the Franklin County GOP website.

Treasurer’s Report:  

Treasurer Sidney Reynolds provided the treasurer’s report.

Committee Reports: 

Ms. Reynolds reported we have 877 Facebook followers. We had 34,743 views. Bill Gheen reported that X has 394 followers.

Motion:

Jim Barrett moved to endorse Jennifer Paylor for the At-Large 7 Franklin County School Board seat whereas she is the sole Republican running in the Primary. Harry Upchurch seconded. Executive Committee members approved the motion unanimously. Chairman Strickland reiterated that in Primary contests when more than one Republican candidate is running for the same office, the Party will not endorse one Republican candidate over another.

Election:

Harry Barrick, Franklin County Board of Elections member, announced Early Voting has started. Mr. Barrick provided an update on the state’s Registration Repair Project, noting that the number of registered voters who were missing required information has been reduced by approximately 30 percent.

Mr. Barrick indicated some counties had serious voting issues during the most recent election, including one requiring a second election.

Upcoming Events:

Chairman Strickland announced the Franklin County Republican Convention will be March 21, 2026; the District 13 Convention will be April 11, 2026.

Resolutions:

District 13 Chairman Roger Farina encouraged vigorous Social Media outreach to Get Out the Vote.

Chairman Farina provided a brief overview of a proposed Resolution to Close the Primary, which will be entertained during the upcoming District Convention. If the law were to be changed, only registered Republicans would be able to receive a Republican ballot during a Primary.

Chairman Strickland and Mr. Farina also indicated that 17 Democrats switched to become “Republicans” in order to run as Republicans in the Primary.

Elected Officials:

Franklin County Commissioners’ Chair Roxanne Bragg, and Commissioners David Bunn and Harry Foy were in attendance. Commissioner Foy, who has served the county for 35 years, said he was committed to listening to Franklin County residents, protecting open comments and remaining frugal.

Brent Strickland, Vice-Chairman of Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, said candidates for open Board seats would file in June, 2026.

Harry Upchurch reported that 450 individuals signed in at Sheriff Kevin White’s recent campaign kick-off.

Candidates:

District 13 House of Representatives Candidate Sid Sharma indicated that as an accountant, his top priority is responsible fiscal conservatism and taxpayer accountability. He noted that $45 billion in foreign aid, during the first few months of the year, is unacceptable, citing examples such as $800 million to Ukraine, $500 million to Israel and Taiwan; $5 billion for “refugees,” and $357 million to Iraq and Syria. He said he is dedicated to America First and will support aggressive tax cuts so American workers can achieve greater financial stability. Immigration is a second priority, he said, indicating, as an example, he would prefer to jail politicians behind sanctuary cities.

Clerk of Court candidate George Jones announced a new website:  https://www.georgejones4clerkofcourt.com/

At-Large School Board Candidate Jennifer Paylor thanked the county’s Republicans for their support.

District 1 School Board Candidate Scott Graham also thanked Republicans for their efforts to get out the vote.

District 5 School Board Candidate Jonathan Vanderford said he believed Franklin County Schools should focus even more on preparing high school students for jobs immediately upon graduation. He added the Board should improve relationships with the North Carolina legislators and County Commissioners. He asked for support in getting out the vote.

Guest Speaker:

North Carolina House of Representatives (District 7) Candidate Cory Thornton shared his worldview, including his commitment to limitations placed on government activities and the influence of biblical wisdom that anchored the U.S. Constitution. He focused on contrasts in world history, such as the U.S. Constitution’s stability versus the disruptive changes endured repeatedly by French citizens after the French Revolution. A priority: keeping each branch of state government ordained in its proper place. His priorities are affordability, children, and safety.

Adjournment:  Chairman Strickland announced our next meeting will be March 21, 2026.  Being no further business, Chairman Strickland adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Sidney Reynolds for Opie Pearce, Secretary