The Hoke County Republican Party held its Annual Convention this past Saturday at the John C. Ropp Hall at Raeford Presbyterian Church in downtown Raeford. The keynote speaker for the convention was Addul Ali, the Chairman of the Cabarrus County Republican Party, Political Director for the Frederick Douglass Foundation of N.C., and Chairman of N.C. Black Conservative Voices.
Approximately 50 people attended the event. Local Republicans adopted a County Plan of Organization and a new Executive Board to include Chairman Chris Holland, Vice Chairwoman Solymar Castellon, Secretary Yohan Namkung, and Treasurer Chad McMillen. The party elected five new at-large members to serve on the executive board: Ruben Castellon, Stephanie Carter, Tony Santangelo, Johnny Boyles, and David Frump.
Other guest speakers were North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, candidate for N.C. Lt. Governor Hal Weatherman, candidates for N.C. Auditor Anthony Street and Charles Dingee, Hoke and Moore County District Attorney Mike Hardin, Chief District Court Judge 19D Hoke and Moore counties Skipper Creed, District Court Judge Steve Bibey, and Hoke County School Board member Ruben Castellon.
Attendees enjoyed chopped pork bar-b-que and BBQ chicken provided by The Flaming Pig, Vick Wilkins, out of Red Springs. His BBQ has won many awards across North and South Carolina, and his Flaming Pig sauce puts a whole new spin on pork and chicken BBQ sauce. Photos and videos from the event can be found on the Hoke County GOP Facebook page, website at www.hokegop.com, and our blog at www.savehoke.net
The Hoke County Republican Party holds monthly meetings at PK’s Grill Raeford Airport on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm. Each quarter the party cleans up their adopted stretch of highway 401 by N. Parker Church Rd and Joyce Lane.
On April 8, the party sponsors a Bulk Chicken Sale through the House of Raeford to support the Backpack Buddies program from Rockfish Chamber of Commerce at 4:00 pm. The Backpack Buddies program helps feed Hoke County school-age children on the weekends when they are out of school. The pickup location for the chicken sale will be at the Rockfish U-Haul, 2950 Lindsay Rd in Hoke County. Orders must be made online by April 5, and Trail Life Troop Rockfish Church will assist in the sale. To become more involved in making Hoke County a better place to live, you can email the party at hokegop@gmail.com.
