Kathy Lawrence, Chairwoman of the Person County GOP (PCGOP), has issued a rebuttal to an article published by the Courier Times on October 23, titled “Local, State GOP at Odds Over Censure.” Lawrence disputes the accuracy of the article, particularly its claim that a sanction imposed by the PCGOP was overturned by the state party.
Lawrence explains that in early June, the PCGOP censured two county officials, Wilborn and McFarland. She states this action was taken after reviewing what she describes as false statements made by both individuals in a complaint submitted to the North Carolina GOP (NCGOP) Credentials Committee regarding the PCGOP’s March 1 annual convention. According to Lawrence, “The NCGOP Credentials Committee TOOK THEM AT THEIR WORD regarding the PCGOP convention since the evidence package I provided was held back from the members. That committee allowed the two to be placed as alternate delegates to NCGOP convention held in early June. But, delegates should never be seated after a GOP convention so the NCGOP failed us in allowing their committee to do so.”
She adds that after comparing claims from Wilborn’s complaint with video records of the event, “the PCGOP ExComm voted unanimously to censure both as these are actions against the county GOP and their own party.”
Lawrence also criticizes local media coverage: “Notable is the fact that Mr. Snow would not print the PRESS RELEASE which I sent on June 4th to announce their censure. The paper suppressed the negative news about the officials. Why?”
She further notes that neither Wilborn nor McFarland appealed within channels provided by local or district party rules but instead brought their appeal directly to state-level authorities: “Also relevant, the two officials never bothered to appeal the PCGOP’s ExComm decision (our Plan of Organization allows for a 14-day period of appeal). Also, neither individual ever made an appeal to District13 GOP either.”
Lawrence recounts receiving a request for arbitration from NCGOP in late June and participating in an August hearing where she says no information was given regarding any concern about censure itself: “In fact, no information was ever provided to me regarding any ‘censure’ concern. We only had to listen to Ms. Wilborn whine about having been censured during hearing itself.”
She asserts that there was no opportunity or need for her to defend against accusations related specifically to censure because there was no formal complaint presented: “So, to be clear, I did not make an argument at all to defend PCGOP ExComm actions of ‘censuring two individuals’ since there was 1) no written complaint on that matter…and 2) I understood state GOP has no actual jurisdictional oversight of such local matters so point is just moot.”
Accordingly, Lawrence maintains that “the PCGOP Censure of Wilborn and McFarland still stands despite NCGOP Arbitration Committee’s release of an opinion.” She argues that state involvement represents overreach into local affairs and suggests it has caused dissatisfaction among conservative members statewide.
Addressing whether there is significant conflict between Person County and state Republicans as implied by press reports, Lawrence writes: “Is there truth…that Person County GOP is ‘AT ODDS’ with NCGOP as CT implies? NOT REALLY. But it is fair say PCGOP are feeling very targeted by those in ‘special club’ and have ‘connections and sway’ at state level.”
Lawrence concludes by stating: “Make no mistake…we are honored take stand for what is right and do good instead…we invite you stand with us as it takes army and your help is very much needed.”
She encourages readers interested in more details about perspectives outside Person County on this issue to review a statement from Roger Farina, District 13 Chair.
