District 10 NCGOP

District 10 Newsletter

Volume 18

www.district10.nc.gop

Sunday, January 18, 2026

NCGOP leadership is confident about 2026 and Republicans

are now the majority party in North Carolina

Chairman Jason Simmons

On September 4, 1867, the North Carolina GOP held its founding Convention at Tucker Hall in Raleigh. Most registered voters across the state were Republicans and many hoped for a bright future at the end of the Civil War.

About 10 years later, however, the Democrats, took back the state and continued to be the majority party...until recently.

The founding party members would have been pleased to hear NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons announce that after 149 years, the Republican Party has reclaimed the lead in statewide voter registration by almost 5,000 voters.

Simmons made the announcement during the NCGOP Central Committee meeting last weekend at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.

"I woke up on Saturday morning and did what I usually do," Simmons said. "I went to the Board of Elections website, checked the numbers and saw that for the first time ever we were ahead of the Democrats in voter registration. Now we have to put our foot on the gas and make that gap as wide as possible."

The surge in Republican voter registration has been ongoing for about a year. And it's one of the things that makes Simmons more confident about the 2026 elections.

"I'm feeling bullish about this election," Simmons said. "Despite what we see historically, when the majority party has the White House, I believe we're going to win. The party in the White House typically sees losses across the country during the midterms. But as we continue to see the economy improve, I think it going to work out for us."

Growing Pains

The good news led to a lengthy discussion about whether to continue to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in Republican primaries. Individuals registered as unaffiliated outnumber both Republicans and Democrats.

"There was a decision made during the late 80's or early 90's by Jack Hawke," Simmons said. Jack Hawke was a former Chair of the NCGOP from 1987 to 1995. "Back then the party leadership thought that allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in our primaries would help the party grow. So right now, our primaries continue to be open.

Many Central Committee members believe that now is the time to close the primaries to unaffiliated voters.

"The fact that we've taken over as the majority party now by about 5,000 voters, I think that if we closed the primaries and made the unaffiliated voters choose, that would give us a huge surge of new Republicans," said District 5 Chair Rick Smith.

"When Jack Hawke opened our primaries to unaffiliates, that was for the benefit of the party back then and we're grateful for it. But now, I think closing the primaries is the way for us to go today."

The decision to close the Republican primary can only be made by a vote from the NCGOP State Executive Committee.

Legal Update

Alton Absher

NCGOP General Counsel Alton Absher provided a lot of good news in his legal update.

"Some liberal groups are trying to prevent the new districts from going into effect, " Absher said. " As expected, that injunction was denied. And shortly before filing, there was a hearing in November in which a three-judge panel of federal judges affirmed the new districts. So, the new districts will be in effect in November."

Absher also told committee members that the General Assembly was successful in restricting Governor Stein's influence over judicial appointments.

"Additionally, a three-judge panel in split decision affirmed the Constitutionality of a law passed by our General Assembly that limited the governor's power in appointing and filing judicial vacancies, " Absher said. " Before the law passed, Governor Stein could fill any judicial vacancy with whoever he wanted. So, if President Trump were to appoint a Republican to a federal position, in North Carolina, and if something would befall the appointee, Governor Stein would have been able to fill that vacancy with a Democrat judge. The law now requires the governor to appoint replacements from a list of three candidates presented to the governor by the party of the departing judge or justice."

Most State Revenue from Education Lottery Tickets are not going towards Education, according to

Auditor Dave Boliek

State Auditor Dave Boliek

State Auditor Dave Boliek discovered that most of the money raised from the purchase of lottery tickets in the North Carolina Education Lottery is not being used to support education.

"There's not been a performance audit done on the Education Lottery by the Office of the State Auditor in nearly 20 years. I'm just the guy to change that. We're in the middle of doing that audit right now, " Boliek said.

Boliek made these comments during his address to county party leaders at the NCGOP County Chairman's Bootcamp at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro last weekend.

"When I walked into the auditor's office, we had two investigators. Today, we have 14. And I want you guys to watch the news in the coming weeks with the work our investigative team is doing," Boliek said.

"First, I recently took a look at the work that our team does in the area of the North Carolina Education Lottery," Boliek said. "In 2023, there was $4.3 billion dollars in ticket sales, and only $1.06 billion went to public schools.

"Fast forward to 2024, $5.4 billion in revenue, was raised from the purchase of lottery tickets and about 1.08 or 1.09 billion went to public schools. Now in 2025, $6.6. billion dollars in revenue, and $20 million less went to our public schools as compared to 2024." Boliek continued.

"Folks, if you're the elected state auditor and you don't think there's some hard questions, the North Carolina Education Lottery needs to answer, you're not doing your job," Boliek added.

A message from D10 Chair Alex Nelson

Fellow Americans and patriots of the Tenth District,

As we look back on 2025, District 10 is proud to report that this has been a year of historic "firsts," decisive action, and unprecedented growth.

Not only have we strengthened our internal organization, but we have built a digital powerhouse from the ground up, setting a new standard for culture, safety, and engagement across North Carolina.

Our district executive committee passed a unanimous resolution to protect our citizens, businesses, and emergency services. We are working with the State General Assembly to reform existing laws protecting the 10^th district and the state.

We understand that last year was great. However, 2026 is our Superbowl. I challenge us to keep growing, be respectful, and find ways to collaborate with each other. Find ways to build on everything good that each county brings to the table.

We fully understand what is at stake in 2026.

Be prepared to make a difference.

By Sean McGowan, Chair

Iredell County GOP

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2025 was a great year with Donald Trump taking back the White House and many disastrous Biden policies dismantled and thrown down into the dustbin of history.

The Trump Administration is working hard to make our food more nutritious and our streets safer. We saw the work of DOGE, at the federal level, and the DAVE Act to county waste, fraud, and abuse at the State level.

Continue to press your elected officials to make fiscal conservatism a habit and not an afterthought. Plan to attend a club meeting or a candidate forum.

And be sure to make plans to join us at our Reagan Day Dinner on February 27th in Statesville!

By Ben Devine, Chair

Catawba County GOP

The Catawba County Republican Party held its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 13th, at our headquarters in Conover, with more than 75 members in attendance.

Members heard an update from Congressman Harrigan’s office and remarks from approximately 20 primary candidates, making for an informative and energetic start to the year.

We invite everyone to join us for our upcoming Candidates Forum on January 27 at the Catawba County Museum of History, featuring candidates for U.S. Senate and County Commissioner. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and stay engaged as we head into the election season.

PROTECTING THOSE WHO PROTECT US

This week, I introduced the Special Operator Protection Act, bipartisan legislation I am advancing in the House alongside Congressman Richard Hudson to protect the identities of America’s Special Operations Forces and others carrying out highly sensitive military missions. The bill follows what happened after a recent U.S. Special Operations mission in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, when individuals attempted to publicly identify the operators involved, putting them and their families at real risk long after the mission ended.

Having served in Special Operations, I know that exposure does not stop at the battlefield. When names, images, or personal details are pushed into the public, that danger follows operators home. The Special Operator Protection Act closes a clear gap in the law by establishing criminal penalties for doxing Special Operations Forces and others tied to sensitive Department of Defense missions, including bans on releasing identifying and personal information, with tougher penalties when that exposure leads to serious injury or death.

DELIVERING DISASTER RELIEF FOR NORTH CAROLINA

This week, more than $116 million in additional federal disaster recovery funding was approved for North Carolina to help communities continue rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. The funding will support road and bridge repairs, debris removal, infrastructure restoration, and flood mitigation projects aimed at protecting communities from future storms.

I appreciate the Trump administration, Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Department of Homeland Security for moving these resources quickly and cutting through red tape so help can reach North Carolina families. This latest round builds on more than $1 billion already delivered for recovery efforts, and it will make a real difference for communities still working to rebuild.

DELIVERING RESULTS FOR NC-10

My team and I have already closed 1,545 constituent cases, returning over $11,414,257.30 to the hardworking people of North Carolina’s 10th District. Whether it’s cutting through federal red tape, securing benefits, or resolving agency issues, we’re here to help.

If you need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to my office here.

Upcoming Events!

The League of Republican Women of Catawba County is having a meeting on Tuesday, January 20th, at 11:30 am at the Lake Hickory Country Club in Hickory.

The Republican Women of Catawba County is hosting a School Board Candidates Forum on Tuesday, January 20th at 6 p.m. at Camp Dogwood in Sherrills Ford.

Turning Point Action will be holding a bowling social on Thursday, January 22nd at Victory Lanes. For more information, click here.

The Forsyth County GOP will be hosting a Candidate Training Workshop on Saturday, January 24th at 11 am at Forsyth County Headquarters. For more information, click here.

The Catawba County GOP is hosting a U.S. Senate and County Commissioners Candidate Forum on Tuesday, January 27th at 6 p.m. at the Catawba County Museum of History in Downtown Newton.

The Republican Women of Lake Norman will meet on Tuesday, February 10th at 6 p.m. at Jefferys Restaurant in Mooresville, NC.

The Iredell Republican Patriot Men (Statesville) will meet on Thursday, February 12th at 6:30 p.m. at 120 N. Greenbriar Rd.

The Iredell County Republican Men's Club will meet on Saturday, February 14th at 8 a.m. at the Troutman Event Center 105 N. Main St. in Troutman, NC.

The Iredell Republican Patriot Men (Mooresville) will meet on Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 159 Gateway Blvd in Mooresville, NC. Featured Speaker -State Auditor Dave Boliek.

The Yadkin Valley Tea Party will have a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19th at 7 p.m. at 120 N. Greenbriar Rd in Statesville, NC.

The Iredell County Republican Women will meet on Thursday, February 19th at Twisted Oak Restaurant 121 N. Center St. #104 Statesville, NC at 6 p.m.

The Iredell County GOP will be hosting their annual Reagan Day fundraiser on Friday, February 27th at the Statesville Civic Center at 300 South Center Street. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. The keynote speaker is Lt. Colonel Allen West.

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

If you live in Forsyth, Yadkin, Iredell, Catawba or Lincoln County, please sign up to work as a volunteer for the 2026 elections today!

District 10 Newsletter-Volume 18