Chairman's August 2026 Newsletter

Monthly Newsletter 
August 2026 
Latest news, announcements and updates 
Welcome  
Welcome to our August newsletter! While we prepare for school and a busy fall 
sports schedule, let’s get excited about the opportunity to change the direction of 
our county, state, and country in the upcoming election. Over the last couple 
months, we have been blessed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the world’s 
greatest country. The principles established by our Founding Fathers—individual 
freedom, limited government, personal responsibility, and equal opportunity—
wasn't something to be taken for granted—it was something to be protected and 
passed on to future generations. It is now our responsibility to protect those 
freedoms and keep communism/socialism away from any branch of government. 
Whether we're serving our community, volunteering our time, supporting 
conservative leaders, or simply being faithful citizens, each of us can help preserve 
the principles that have made our nation a beacon of hope and freedom. I'm 
grateful to stand beside so many of you as we continue that work together here in 
Chatham County. 
Chairman's Corner 
Renee and I were able to travel to Washington DC and enjoy the Celebrate America 
250 events in our nation’s capital. We experienced a sense of American pride while 
watching a fantastic American rodeo on the National Mall grounds. Renee got some 
great pictures of the surrounding area when we ascended to the top of the 
Washington Monument. Ask her if you would enjoy seeing those pictures 
sometime. We visited Mount Vernon and saw the beautiful Potomac River area that 
George Washington saw when he returned from the Revolutionary War. Renee and I 
visited the Turning Point USA Leadership Summit, where two Chatham County 
students were in attendance. They will give a short report at our upcoming meeting. 
It was a great trip, and we appreciate President Trump caring enough for our 
country that he put politics aside and celebrated alongside every American. It is a 
shame that many on the Democratic side couldn’t put their politics aside to 
celebrate. What I have a hard time understanding is that America is bigger than any 
party…it is a beautiful representative of what our Founding Fathers dreamed about 
when they fought so long ago to establish a country where they understood the 
arguments and the actions, the sacrifices and accomplishments, that led to the way 
of life they enjoy today. The idea that “all men are created equal” is not just words; 
it is a truth for all people for all time. To found a political community and 
government on an explicit idea about human beings was truly unheard of in 
history. 
I am encouraged that many in Chatham County see this freedom as something that 
needs to be preserved for the current and future generations. Our country should 
act quickly to eradicate any movement that tries to take away the freedoms that we 
were granted 250 years ago…before it gains a foothold in our society. Look around 
our country…the mayor of the largest city in America is a Socialist. Several 
Socialists are running for national office or already hold office. These people 
disguise their campaigns and administrations on the idea that Americans can 
receive “FREE” everything if they only adhere to the words of communists. Nothing 
is ever “FREE”. Someone will pay for it. I imagine Thomas Jefferson, George 
Washington, and Benjamin Franklin would be shocked to hear some of the ideas of 
these people. Be vigilant and tell everyone their vote counts so that America, as we 
know it, can be preserved. 
If you haven’t heard about the 28-mile Enbridge pipeline being planned between 
Siler City and Moncure, make sure you read some of the information coming out. It 
has emerged as one of the most consequential infrastructure debates in Chatham 
County. There are many residents who have raised concerns about private property 
rights, river protection, and industrial growth in the rural parts of the county. How 
will this affect farms and homes in the proposed pipeline right of way? If you can 
attend one of the meetings about this issue, please go. 
Below is the slate of candidates that we are supporting for the 2026 election: 
Michael Whatley…US Senate 
Max Ganorkar…US House District 4 
Richard Hudson…US House District 9 
Sarah Stevens…NC Supreme Court 
Craig Collins…NC Court of Appeals 
Michael Byrne…NC Court of Appeals 
George Bell…NC Court of Appeals 
Marcus Globuschutz…Chatham County Sheriff 
John Crowell…Chatham Commissioner District 4 
Steve Ganley…Chatham Commissioner District 5 
Adele Sommerville…Chatham School Board District 3 (non-partisan) 
VOLUNTEER! There are multiple opportunities to volunteer your time and efforts. 
We need everyone! If you can spare a couple of hours at events, please let us know. 
State GOP News 
The Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly is back in session and 
working on several bills. They are still working to override some of Governor Stein’s 
vetoes from past sessions.  
The VinFast EV plant that was scheduled to be built in Chatham County has been 
shuttered. Roy Cooper recruited this company to build the plant, calling it “the 
largest economic development announcement in the state’s history.” The county 
and state should remember that 27 homes, a church, and 5 businesses had to give 
up their property for the highway needed for Cooper’s failed Green New Deal 
project.  
We need to elect judges who enforce the law. Sarah Stevens, Craig Collins, George 
Bell, and Michael Byrne are running for the NC Supreme Court and NC Court of 
Appeals. These Republican candidates support our police and will be tough on 
crime. FINISH YOUR BALLOT IN NOVEMBER! 
National GOP News 
As we continue to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, we should be optimistic 
about our economy. Manufacturing reached a 4 year high this month and the stock 
market is at an all-time high. Once the conflict in Iran is resolved, expect the gas 
prices and inflation numbers to drop. Zero illegals have entered the US for 14 
months in a row. $18 Trillion in new investment coming to America. Electric vehicle 
mandates are gone. Private employment is growing while federal employment has 
dropped. USAID has been stripped of its ability to push socialism around the world. 
DEI is gone. Crime is down dramatically around the US. 
Happy 250th anniversary to those who voted for the above! 
Upcoming Events & Important Dates 
● August 11: Chatham County Republican Party monthly meeting. 6:30-8PM. 
The open meeting will be held at Best Food Cafeteria in Siler City. If you want 
to eat beforehand, please get there between 5:45 and 6PM. Guest speakers 
will be Michael Byrne, NC Court of Appeals candidate, and two students who 
attended the Turning Point Leadership Summit in Washington DC.  
● September 6: First Sunday Pittsboro…campaign signs and material available. 
Come by the red tent and show your support! Candidates will be there to 
explain their platforms and we should encourage them. 
● October 3: Old Fashioned Day in Goldston… Come by the red tent and show 
your support! 
Mark your calendars and don’t miss these opportunities to volunteer, engage, learn, 
and connect with others who share your interests and values.  
What’s Next 
Come to one of the events listed above and say hello. Tell me what your concerns 
are and how we can help. I would especially ask that you consider what YOUR 
solution would be to any local concerns. I will gladly speak with you and share our 
vision for Chatham County.  
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 
Joe Godfrey 
Chair 
Chatham County Republican Party 
"I am sure there never was a people who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine 
interposition in their affairs than those of the United States; and I should be pained 
to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested 
during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God 
who is alone able to protect them."— George Washington, 1792  
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in 
any direction you choose."— Dr. Seuss  
"The people! The people are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts. Not 
to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it."— Abraham 
Lincoln