2024 NC Republican 5th District Convention held in Wilkes County

WILKESBORO — The energetic and lively 5th District Convention was held on Saturday, April 20, at the Wilkesboro Civic Center. The NC 5th District includes the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Guilford, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, and Wilkes.

There were 163 attendees at the convention with standing room only! The 13 Ashe County GOP delegates in attendance were Tom Bregger, Bonnie Derr, Dawn Ellis, Jenifer Falls, Mark Gilbert, Jonathan Jordan, Traci McMillan, Marty Oldham, Terri Penzenstadler, Terry Wagoner, Toni Wall, Janet Ward, and Larry Ward. This represented a proportionally large showing for the second smallest county in the District.

There are 1,027,000 residents in this District. With 163 delegates attending that averaged out to 1 delegate for every 63,000 citizens district-wide. Ashe County GOP delegates attended at a ratio of 1 delegate for every 2,076 Ashe County residents. Well done Ashe GOP!

Jack Simms, 5th District Chair, introduced Billy Miller, 5th District Convention Chair who began the convention.

There was an informative and encouraging congressional update from U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (given by Tom Bregger, Chair Ashe County GOP), and an NCGOP update given by Jason Simmons (Chair NCGOP). Susan Mills (Vice Chair NCGOP) was followed by speeches from candidates Ed Broyhill (running for National Committeeman), Anne Marie Yates (running for National Committeewoman), Chad Brown (running for NC Secretary of State), Dave Boliek (running for NC State Auditor), Hal Weatherman (running for Lt. Governor), and Valerie Zachary (running for Court of Appeals Judge). Representatives for Jack Clark (candidate for NC State Auditor) and Jim O’Neill (candidate for Lt. Governor) also spoke to the crowd.

The Chairs for the Credentials, Rules, Plan of Organization, and Resolutions Committees also gave their reports.

In addition, David Warren from the NCGOP provided an update on the ongoing NCGOP programs for the “Get Out the Vote” initiative, plans to ensure Election Integrity, and the “Protect the Ballot” campaigns.

This effective, informative, and engaging Convention concluded after electing the Delegates, Alternates, and Elector who will attend the four-day 2024 RNC National Convention which will be held in Milwaukee. Wisconsin on July 15-18.