Work To Be Done

- Work to be Done -

This will be my last column. I will not be running for chairman at our upcoming Orange County Convention on March 29th. Our Nominating Committee is determining our next slate of Executive Board members for your consideration. I have enjoyed my time as chairman.

I want to share the highs and lows of my tenure. First the bad. I wish I could have had the time to put forward the effort in changing our illegal arrangement of our Board of County Commissioners. The NC State Supreme Court, while still under the control of Leftist judges, determined that the NC County Commissions should not have Districts where all voters across the county vote. In Orange County, we have that. In Northern Orange County, I live in District 2, but voters in Chapel Hill and Carrboro vote for my District Representative. When asked about it, board member Earl McKee was afraid that the Republican majority of the General Assembly would punish Orange County. I disagree, and the State Supreme Court agrees. We need true district representation in Orange County. My second regret is that we could not get more names on the ballot. Our voters deserve better. It's not for lack of trying to get candidates. If you or someone you know would consider running, let county leadership know.

My biggest success is in what I consider the Chairman's job entails. I end my term with more money in the bank; we sold a lot of Donald T-shirts in 2024! We were also supported by BBQs, pancake breakfasts, and Lincoln-Reagan Dinners. We are ahead financially, despite backing a Congressional candidate in the 2022 election more than we ever had in recent memory. That outlay of $6,000 for a voter mailer, and the tremendous effort that Courtney Geels put forth as a candidate, did not move the needle when the votes were counted. Durham County GOP also joined in the effort and we lost by 33% to the Democrat candidate. With David Price retiring, we thought we had a chance. We know how the district is drawn, and we put in the effort to try to win. But with the finances of OCGOP in a good position, we can put up a good fight in the upcoming mid-terms in 2026. Another plus is how our election Get Out The Vote and election integrity efforts have changed, and we have been able to change with it.

As chairman, I am also blessed to be surrounded by so many members of Orange County GOP that have volunteered and given in the effort. When I came into office I asked our former chairs for their help. They all stepped up and aided and advised me. I want to thank Virginia Ferguson, Dan Ashley, Bob Randall, and Waddy Davis. We changed our treasurer this year, and I will miss my interactions with Jim Carroll, but know Kevin Winpisinger will help guide us just at easily. I want to thank all of you. If you are reading this, then you helped in the victories we have had. We have kept the office open. We have continued our voter integrity operation to keep elections honest and fair. We continue to place volunteers to work at the polls as judges and chief judges. Being on both sides of the table is the best service we can give to the citizens of Orange County. I will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as a past Chair, and look forward to fighting for the Right in the future.

In the Cause of the Right,

Rev. John B. Gaither,

Chairman -

Orange County Republican Party