January 2026 GOP Meeting Minutes

Franklin County Republican Party

Executive Committee Meeting

January 8, 2026

Opening: Chairman Ed Strickland opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. There were 28 in attendance.  A light meal of hot dogs, sides and drinks were provided by members of the party.

Invocation:  Jennifer Paylor.

Pledge:   Howard Lasher.

Secretary’s Report:  

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

Secretary Opie Pearce requires a temporary leave of absence from her duties. Chairman Strickland asked for volunteers to record meeting minutes during her absence. If anyone is willing, please contact Chairman Strickland.

Treasurer’s Report:  

Treasurer Sidney Reynolds provided the treasurer’s report. A motion was issued to accept as read. Motion was seconded and carried.

Committee Reports: 

Ms. Reynolds reported we have 841 Facebook followers. We had 30,516 views. The Franklin County Patriots group page has grown to 405 members. Bill Gheen reported that X has grown to 392 followers.

Patriots’ Group Founder Rose Holmes reported the Don Brown fundraiser was a success. She thanked all who assisted in the event.

Upcoming Activities for the Patriots’ Group:

• The first Primary season door knocking will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at noon January 17.
• Candidates will be providing signs presently. Ms. Holmes asked about private property along major roads and near schools where candidates may be allowed to erect 4’ x 4’ signs.
• Greeters at the polls are needed from February 12 through Election Day March 3. Volunteers will be recruited using SignUpGenius.
• The Franklin County Patriots will hold a candidate meet and greet January 20.

Upcoming Elections:

Chairman Strickland indicated the deadline to request absentee ballots for the Primary election will be February 17.

Harry Barrick, Franklin County Board of Elections member, announced Early Voting will begin February 12. He provided dates, times, and polling sites.  Election Day will be March 3.

Chairman Strickland announced that Sheriff Kevin White’s re-election kick-off will be January 29.  Time: 7:00 p.m., Location: Pinehill Pavilion, 375 Moores Pond Rd, Youngsville, NC 27596.

Chairman Strickland indicated all Republican Primary candidates have been contacted and invited to provide information for the Franklin County Republican Party website. Candidates also have been welcomed to attend Party events.

Elected Officials:

Commissioner Roxanne Bragg was unable to attend the meeting. She proffered her greetings.

District 5 School Board member and candidate for re-election Chris Perry indicated he was unable to attend.

Candidates:

School Board candidates Jennifer Paylor and Jonathan Vanderford outlined their priorities for education, if elected to the Franklin County School Board.

Ms. Paylor indicated she is most concerned with ensuring students are READY for the real world. Her website is: https://paylorforfranklin.com/

Mr. Vanderford indicated he is interested in ensuring students are market-ready. Mr. Vanderford says that because he is younger than other candidates and members of the Board, he can provide firsthand knowledge and experience regarding the obstacles recent graduates face, especially the need for a living wage. He wants to focus on programs, such as expanding the CTE opportunities, that lead to job opportunities immediately after high school graduation. He also believes Board members should have influential conversations with members of the General Assembly in order to improve outcomes for Franklin County students. He is invested in improving academic capability and wants zero tolerance for complacent strategic plans. Mr. Vanderford’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Vanderford-For-Franklin-County-School-Board-District-5/61584927687842/#

Clerk of Court candidate George Jones seeks to improve court efficiency and ensure the staff shows empathy for those who need assistance. After 30 years as a paralegal, Mr. Jones says he’s seen the effectiveness as well as the weaknesses of many North Carolina Clerks of Court, and he believes he will be able to transform Franklin County’s office and do things right for those who may be going through some of the hardest times of their lives. Mr. Jones’ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/georgejones4clerkofcourt/61584754790378/

North Carolina House of Representatives (District 7) candidate Cory Thornton introduced his campaign, indicating that his priorities are affordability, children, and safety. Representative Matthew Winslow said he’s known Mr. Thornton for more than 15 years and respects him as a fellow Christian and business professional. He indicated he is introducing Mr. Thornton, working on connections now so Mr. Thornton will be able to hit the ground running.

Guest Speaker:

North Carolina’s Senator (District 11) Lisa Barnes provided highlights of the 2025 Legislative Session.

Among accomplishments:

• Border Protection Act (Senate Bill 153)
  • Mandates state agencies, such as Public Safety, Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation, comply with ICE;
  • Ensures no taxpayer money will go to illegal aliens;
  • Waives governmental immunity for local governments with sanctuary policies;
  • Stops University of North Carolina campuses from adopting sanctuary status policies.
• Foster Care Act (House Bill 612)
• The North Carolina General Assembly:
  • Proposed work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients;
  • Added healthcare billing transparency;
  • Focused on fiscal responsibility and audits of government agencies;
  • Reduced the tax rate, which was 7.99% when Republicans took control after the 2010 election, to 3.49%. (The Republican-controlled legislature has eliminated approximately $10 billion in debt and fixed the State pension system, Senator Barnes added.)
  • Began the process of reforming the Department of Motor Vehicles;
  • Improved disaster recovery money and processes;

Senator Barnes has been appointed to the committee that will address regulatory reform. She reported the listening tour has been completed. The scrutiny of proposed regulations, streamlining building codes/permits, and other reforms are coming, she said.

Senator Barnes shared her priorities moving forward, including healthcare system improvement (such as North Carolina Children’s Hospital progress), promoting policy innovation, and continuing to focus on fiscal responsibility.

A priority for 2026: Republican and Unaffiliated voter turnout.

Motion:

Rose Holmes moved to “skip” the March monthly meeting due to the Annual Convention. Sonny Merrill seconded. Motion passed.

Adjournment:  Chairman Strickland announced our next meeting will be February 12, 2026.  Being no further business, Chairman Strickland adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Sidney Reynolds for Opie Pearce, Secretary