Rowan News

The Rowan County Republican Party followed a trend taking place throughout the state by holding its convention through teleconference. 

The convention was the 26th in North Carolina that happened in a virtual format due to concerns about spreading COVID-19, according to a March 29 Salisbury Post report. 

Gov. Roy Cooper further cemented that decision when he signed an executive order in March limiting gathering to 10 people or less.

The convention was headlined with Ada Fisher's appointment to represent District 13 at the 2020 National Republican Convention in Charlotte this summer. Republican State Chairman Michael Whatley told the Salisbury Post that future district meetings remain scheduled. The party’s state convention is June 4-7.

There is plenty of reasons for the party base to be fired up for this election year as the GOP seeks to capture the governor’s office and hold off a spirited bid for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) seat in the Beltway.

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is running against Cooper. Whatley said Tillis's efforts to fend off Democrat Cal Cunningham is the top Senate race in the U.S. Whatley also told the Salisbury Post the state is “still one of the four states for Trump to win if he wants to be re-elected.”

Convention attendees also discussed actions the governor took to slow the coronavirus's spread.

Republican challenger for Secretary of State E.C. Sykes talked about how the virus was forcing the nation’s leaders to “trade freedom for our health,” the publication reported.

Sen. Carl Ford (R-Rowan, Stanly) said he was looking into Cooper’s powers because of overreach concerns. The Salisbury Post said Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan) also voiced concerns and said emergency powers were meant for governors to get through natural disasters.

United States Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) spoke about the latest stimulus package Congress approved and President Trump signed. He said Republicans were able to keep most of the liberal wishlist of the Democratic Party out of the $2.2 trillion relief package. Overall, he felt it was a good package although it could have been better.

In addition to the national and state legislative races, county party co-chairman Brian Brady highlighted the judicial races and their impact on upholding the party’s conservative values.