GRNC-PVF Archives -

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Help Elect Pro-Gun Candidates

February 27, 2026

by John Richardson 1 Comment

The Grass Roots North Carolina-Political Victory Fund is raffling off a Springfield Armory Kuna with a Holosun red dot sight and 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The proceeds go to help fund the GRNC-PVF election efforts on behalf of pro-gun candidates in North Carolina.

If you buy a ticket or tickets before the polls close on March 3rd at 7pm, you will get double the chances to win. I should note that while I’ve bought tickets I am not eligible to win.

The Primary Election is just days away, and the stakes for the Second Amendment in North Carolina couldn’t be higher.

Right now, Grass Roots North Carolina is at 90% of our fundraising goal to defend our pro-gun champions and elect new, solid constitutionalists to the General Assembly. We are in the “red zone,” and we need your help to push us across the goal line before the polls open.

To ensure our Political Victory Fund (PVF) has every resource necessary for this final stretch, we are launching a limited-time Kuna Raffle BOGO.

THE “PRIMARY PUSH” BOGO

From now until the polls close on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:00 PM EST, every raffle ticket you purchase will be doubled.

Buy 1, Get 1 FREE. Buy 5, Get 5 FREE.

There is no limit. This is your chance to maximize your impact on the election while dramatically increasing your chances to win a Kuna.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR BOGO RAFFLE TICKETS

Every dollar raised goes directly toward the final push—get-out-the-vote efforts, mailers, and alerts—to ensure that anti-gun activists don’t gain a foothold in Raleigh.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let’s finish this fight and secure a pro-2A future for North Carolina

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GRNC-PVF Recommendations For March Primary

February 27, 2026

by John Richardson

The North Carolina primary is on this coming Tuesday and early in-person voting ends tomorrow, Saturday, February 28th, at 3pm. As a reminder, GRNC-PVF does not issue endorsements. They make recommendations based strictly on a candidate’s position on gun rights. In essence, they are not saying we “like” Candidate X and all he or she stands for but rather they are better on gun rights than Candidate Y.

Below are GRNC-PVF’s recommendations for the March primary.

GRNC-PVF CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS

FEDERAL RACES

US SENATE (R)

Don Brown (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) is a fine candidate and might be worth a protest vote, but the only candidate that stands any chance at all of beating anti-gun former Governor Roy Cooper is Michael Whatley (survey: 100%, ****). In this seven-way race, GRNC-PVF recommends MICHAEL WHATLEY.

US HOUSE

Note: Redistricting means that US House District 1 is more competitive for Republicans, potentially giving them a pickup. But it also means that other Republican districts are not as secure. YOU MUST VOTE ALL RACES.

District 1 (R): In this re-districted race, the Cook Partisan Index is now R+1, giving Republicans a potential pickup. Although they are several worthy candidates to challenge Democrat incumbent Don Davis (votes: 50%, 0-star), gun voters should go with the candidate with an established pro-gun voting record and bill sponsorship, which Bobby Hanig has demonstrated in both the NC House and Senate. GRNC-PVF recommends BOBBY HANIG (survey: 98%, votes: 100%) over Laurie Buckhout (survey: 96%, ****), Eric Rouse survey 100%, ****), and Ashley-Nicole Russell (survey: NR, 0).

District 3 (R): In this R+10 district, incumbent Greg Murphy (survey: 94%, votes: 92%, ****) has no primary opponent.

District 5 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent VIRGINIA FOXX (survey: 100%, votes: 93%, ****) over challengers Steve Girard (survey: 88%, ***), Joseph (Joey) Osborne (survey: NR, 0-star), and Roman H. (Chad) Williams II (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 6 (R): In this R+9 district, incumbent Addison McDowell (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) has no primary opponent.

District 7 (R): In this R+7 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DAVID ROUZER (votes: 93%, ****) over David Buzzard (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 8 (R): In this R+10 district, incumbent Mark Harris (survey: 98%, votes: 100%, ****) has no primary opponent.

District 9 (R): In this R+8 district, incumbent Richard Hudson (survey: 100%, votes: 93%, ****) has no primary opponent.

District 10 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent PAT HARRIGAN (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Matthew Sin (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 11 (R): This district was diluted to R+5 in redistricting. GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CHUCK EDWARDS (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Adam R. Smith (survey: 97%, ****).

District 12 (R): In this D+24 district, the Republican candidate will face longtime Democrat incumbent Alma Adams. GRNC-PVF recommends ADDUL ALI (survey: 96%, ****) over Jack Codiga (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 13 (R): In this R+8 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent BRAD KNOTT (survey 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Sid Sharma (survey: 99%, ****).

District 14: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TIM MOORE (survey: 93%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Kate Barr (survey: NR, 0-star). Incidentally, Barr has been caught in a video on “X” clearly saying she is not a Republican, but instead a “progressive” (read that leftist).

STATE RACES

NC JUDICIAL RACES

[Note: Because judges generally cannot answer surveys, GRNC-PVF recommendations are typically based on other factors such as interviews, or local knowledge.]

NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 1(R): Sarah Stevens (survey: 75%, votes 100%, ****), formerly of the NC House, has no primary opponent and will face leftist Democrat Anita Earls.

NC Court of Appeals Seat 1 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MICHAEL BYRNE over Matt Smith.

NC SENATE

District 01 (R): In this open seat for an R+6 district, GRNC-PVF recommends COLE JOHNSON (survey: 100%, ****) over Dave Forsythe (survey: NR, 0-star), Jay Lane (survey: NR, 0-star), and Jerry Tillett (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 9 (R): In this R+12 district, GRNC-PVF continues to recommend BRENT JACKSON (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, **** over William W. Barbour (survey: 100%, ****) due to Jackson’s perfect voting record.

District 10 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent BENTON SAWREY (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Caitlin Marsh (survey: 83%, ***).

District 12 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JIM BURGIN (survey: NR, votes: 100%, bill sponsorship: 85%, ***) over Tim McNeill (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 17 (R): In this D+15 district, GRNC-PVF recommends SHIRLEY JOHNSON (survey: 95%, ****) over Sarah Al-Baghdadi (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 18 (R): In this D+0 tossup district, the winner stands a chance of unseating anti-gun incumbent Democrat Terrence Everitt (votes: 4%, 0). GRNC-PVF recommends CHRIS STOCK (survey: 99%, ****) over Cheryl Caulfield (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 21 (R): In this R+10 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TOM MCINNIS (survey: 96%, votes: 100%) over Ray Daly (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 26 (R): In this R+9 district, the hotly contested Republican primary is between incumbent Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (survey: 99%, votes: 100%, bill support: 55%, ***) and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page (survey: 94%, ****). Berger has been problematic at times, tanking constitutional carry in the last session by saying that the Senate had passed the purchase permit repeal and therefore didn’t “need” to take up another gun bill. That said, Berger has a long history of passing pro-gun legislation through the chamber he controls, albeit on a schedule that might not suit gun rights advocates. Page, on the other hand, is a largely unknown quantity, despite having submitted a reasonable but not exceptional 94% GRNC survey. With reservations and understanding that some may disagree, GRNC-PVF continues to recommend PHIL BERGER.

District 30 (R): In this R+22 district, voters face a tough choice between two pro-gun candidates, both of whom have 100% voting records and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation. In the interest of rewarding support for the Second Amendment by incumbents, GRNC-PVF recommends STEVE JARVIS (survey: 97%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over Eddie Gallimore (survey: 98%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****).

District 34 (R): In this R+2 district, recently appointed Chris Measmer (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) faces former NC House member Kevin Crutchfield (survey: 90%, votes: 100%, ****). GRNC-PVF recommends CHRIS MEASMER.

NC HOUSE

District 1 (R): In this R+13 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent EDWARD C. GOODWIN (survey: 93%, votes: 100 %, bill support: 100%, ****) over John C. Spruill (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) due to priority of voting record over survey scores.

District 4 (R): In this R+10 district, incumbent Jimmy Dixon has spoken out against constitutional carry, saying he will not vote to override Governor Josh Stein’s veto. GRNC-PVF recommends MARCELLA BARBOUR (survey: 100%, ****) over Jimmy Dixon (survey: 100%, votes: 97%, ****).

District 6 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOE PIKE (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger W. H. (Bill) Morris (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 16 (R): In this R+18 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CARSON SMITH (survey: 84%, votes: 100%, bill support 100%, ****) over challenger Joshua Patti (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 17 (R): In this R+10 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent FRANK ILER (survey: 91%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Nia Moore (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 26 (R): In this R+4 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DONNA MCDOWELL WHITE (survey: 88%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Margie Beth Riedel (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 28 (R): In this R+4 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent LARRY STRICKLAND (survey: 99%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Eric Bowles, Sr. (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 32 (R): In this D+2 district and race for an open seat, challenger Pamela M. Ayscue (survey: NR, 0-star) is one of several phony “Republicans” – Democrats disguising themselves as Republicans to primary conservatives. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends former NC House Rep. FRANK SOSSAMON (votes: 100%, ****).

District 35 (R): In this R+0 district, challenger Michele Joyner-Dinwiddie (survey: 96%, ****) is one of several phony “Republicans” – Democrats disguising themselves as Republicans to primary conservatives. In all likelihood, she lied on her GRNC survey to further camouflage her leftist positions. By contrast, incumbent Rep. Mike Schietzelt is an established gun rights leader. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends MIKE SCHIETZELT (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****).

District 43 (R): In this R+4 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DIANE WHEATLEY (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Clarence Goins, Jr. (survey: 96%, ****).

District 51 (R): In this R+11 seat left open by retiring John Sauls, both Charles M. Taylor (survey: 100%, ****) and Sherry Lynn Womack (survey: 100%, ****) submitted perfect 100% GRNC surveys. Based on local information, GRNC-PVF recommends SHERRY LYNN WOMACK.

District 55 (R): In this R+11 seat left open by retiring Mark Hollo, all three candidates submitted 4-star GRNC surveys but have no Second Amendment platform on their sites. They are Clancy Baucom (survey: 100%, ****), Richard T. Miller (survey: 96%, ****), and John Powell (survey: 99%, ****). Based solely on survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends CLANCY BAUCOM.

District 65 (R): In this R+16 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent L. REECE PRYTLE JR (survey: 97%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challengers Joseph A. Gibson III (survey: 96%, ****) and Seth Woodall (survey: 100%, ****).

District 78 (R): In this R+24 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent NEAL JACKSON (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Mark Dutton (survey: 100%, ****).

District 79 (R): In this R+12 district, RINO Jimmy Dixon (Duplin, Wayne), who has said he will not support the override vote on permitless carry, recruited a candidate to run against the most pro-gun member of the NC General Assembly, Keith Kidwell, who has sponsored numerous pro-gun bills including permitless carry. GRNC-PVF STRONGLY recommends KEITH KIDWELL (survey: 99%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Darren Armstrong (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 80 (R): In this R+23 district, Joseph Byrne (survey: 100%, ****) seeks to unseat incumbent Sam Watford (survey 79%, votes: 76% with 100% recent, ***). Watford had a somewhat checkered past, causing GRNC-PVF to oppose him in previous races. That said, however, after a “meeting of the minds,” Watford has voted pro-gun each time it was presented. In the interest of rewarding legislators who “see the light,” GRNC-PVF recommends SAM WATFORD.

District 81 (R): In this R+20 district and, challenger Pamela Zanni (survey: NR, 0-star) is one of several phony “Republicans” – Democrats disguising themselves as Republicans to primary conservatives. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent LARRY W. POTTS (survey: 97%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****).

District 89 (R): In this R+23 district and, challenger Lisa Deaton Koperski (survey: NR, 0-star) is one of several phony “Republicans” – Democrats disguising themselves as Republicans to primary conservatives. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent MITCH SETZER (survey: 98%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****).

District 90 (R): In this R+26 race for the open seat left by Sarah Stevens as she runs for NC Supreme Court, GRNC-PVF recommends PAUL BARKER (survey: 98%, ****) over A.J. Daoud (survey: 88%, ***) and Dan Kiger (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 95 (R): In this R+13 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent RICHARD (TODD) CARVER (votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Mike Kubiniec (survey: 90%, ****).

District 105 (R): In this R+0 tossup district, there is a clear choice which might not be obvious. Incumbent Tricia Ann Cotham switched parties from Democrat to Republican in the last session after “walking” (not voting) on the purchase permit repeal override of then-Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto caused her to get death threats from her own “party of inclusion.” Prior to the switch, she had a 0% voting record, but has been voting pro-gun since changing parties. Challenger Kelly VanHorn (survey: NR, 0-star) is one of the phony “Republicans” – Democrats who registered as Republicans to primary incumbents. GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TRICIA COTHAM (votes: 71%, 0-star).

District 110 (R): In this R+14 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent KELLY E. HASTINGS (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) over challenger Caroline Eason (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 113 (R): In this R+15 district pro-gun voters face a conundrum. Former NC House Rep. Mike Hager (survey: 95%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****) resigned his seat in 2016 but is now challenging incumbent Republican Jake Johnson (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, bill support: 100%, ****). With some regret because Hager is a good candidate, we find we must follow our reward structure for pro-gun incumbents. GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JAKE JOHNSON.

District 117 (R): In this R+6 district, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent JENNIFER CAPPS BALKCOM (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Christopher Lamar Wilson (survey: NR, 0-star). Wilson is one of the phony “Republicans” – Democrats who registered as Republicans to primary incumbents.

District 118 (R): In this R+9 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MARK PLESS (votes: 94%, ****) over challenger James M. (Jimmy) Rogers (survey: NR, 0-star). Given that Pless dropped a vote, if Rogers had chosen to return GRNC’s survey, our recommendation might have been different.

District 119 (R): In this R+3 district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MIKE CLAMPITT (survey: 99%, votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Anna Ferguson (survey: NR, 0-star).

NC COUNTY SHERIFF

GRNC-PVF normally does not cover sheriff’s races because they are too numerous and often subject to local factors. In this case, we have a sheriff candidate who supports constitutional carry versus one who failed to answer GRNC’s survey.

Person County: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger TODD DUNN (survey: 100%, ****) over incumbent Jason (Skeet) Wilborn (survey: NR, 0-star).

This message supporting the above-named candidates was authorized and paid for solely by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

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GRNC-PVF Candidate Recommendation Updates

February 16, 2024

by John Richardson

The Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund has released some updates. These are just in time for the start of Early, One-Stop Voting which began yesterday. The updates include additional races, some corrections, and surveys that were received after the January 20th cut-off date.

From GRNC-PVF:

Late surveys, additional races, and errata

ADDITIONAL RACES

NC Commissioner of Insurance (R): GRNC-PVF recommends ROBERT BRAWLEY (votes: 100%, survey: 81%) over Andrew Marcus (survey: 100%, ****) due to Brawley’s 100% voting record in the NC House. Mike Causey failed to return the survey (survey: NR, GRNC 0-star). The important factor in this primary is electing a candidate who can beat Democrat Natasha Marcus (votes: 0%, GRNC 0-star) in the General Election. Natasha (not Andrew) Marcus is a Bloomberg gun control shill whose political career needs to be stopped in its tracks.

NC Court of Appeals Seat 15 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends HUNTER MURPHY over Chris Freeman.

ERRATA

NC SENATE

District 03 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MICHAEL SPECIALE (voting record: 100%, survey: 100%). In addition to a 100% recent voting record in the NC House, Speciale has a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation and standing up to leadership for gun rights. He will be a leader for your rights in the NC Senate. Opponent Bob Brinson was reportedly encouraged to run by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, who recently refused to give constitutional carry a floor vote, saying: “We have passed a substantial bill dealing with some concerns about the Second Amendment. We have done away with the pistol purchase permit which was the number one goal for many of the guns rights groups for a long period of time. I just don’t know if there is a need for us to delve into additional issues dealing with guns.” [Information about Speciale’s opponent added.]

District 45 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MARK HOLLO (survey: 99%, voting record: 100%, ****). Opponent Nancy Meek (survey 100%, ****) is reportedly pro-gun, but Hollo has both a perfect voting record while in the NC House, and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation. [“Hollo” was initially misspelled.]

NC HOUSE

District 59 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends ALLEN CHAPPELL (survey: 91%, ****) over Alan Branson (survey: 80%, ***). [Previously, “Chappell” had been misspelled.]

District 69 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DEAN ARP (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over Clint Cannaday (survey: 88%, ***). [District was erroneously listed as 67.]

LATE SURVEYS

Below are surveys received after the January 20 deadline. In our continuing effort to give all candidates a fair chance, some may have already been included in candidate recommendations if they were received in time. Remember in November candidate recommendations are being adjusted accordingly. However, GRNC-PVF candidate recommendations cannot be changed for late surveys.

This message supporting the above-mentioned candidates was paid for by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

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Reminders To Politicians

January 2, 2023

by John Richardson 4 Comments

Politicians need reminders on who “brung them to the dance” lest they start believing they did it all on their own. A sparkling personality and a impressive résumé can only take you so far. Effective outside help should always be appreciated.

Paul Valone, President of Grass Roots North Carolina, realizes this. He just issued two open letters: one to Speaker Tim Moore of the NC House and one to Sen. Phil Berger, President Pro Tem of the NC Senate. The only difference in the letters is that the Republicans received a supermajority in the State Senate while falling one short in the House.

The letters (see an example below) remind Moore and Berger of both the efforts and the results from the independent expenditures made by the GRNC-PVF and the Judicial Fairness Project. 34 races were targeted and 27 wins recorded or nearly an 80% win rate.

They are then told of the legislative priorities for GRNC in the next session. These include permitless carry, getting rid of the pistol purchase permit, eliminating the “church carry loophole”, and protecting shooting on private property. Vetoes by Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) negated the wins in the last session which sought to eliminate the pistol purchase permit and allowing churches with schools to permit carry during non-school hours. Neither veto was overridden. With the supermajority in the Senate and the near supermajority in the House, chances are that a veto could be overridden this time. The letter concludes by saying Valone is confident that the Republicans will advance the rights of Second Amendment supporters.

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Vote Like Your Rights Depend Upon It

November 6, 2022

by John Richardson 3 Comments

That is because your firearm rights do depend upon this election. If the Democrats retain control of Congress, you can be assured of a new assault weapons ban along with a magazine ban. Fortunately, if the polls are correct, the Republicans should take at least the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

In most areas, early voting has concluded and you must vote in person on Election Day. As I write this, the polls will open in less than 48 hours in most states.

If you are unsure of where a candidate stands on gun rights, most gun rights organizations will have candidate ratings. Some will only rate Congressional candidates and state level races while others will drill down to state house and senate races.

If you are a North Carolinian, your best source is the Grass Roots North Carolina-PVF. Their ratings don’t give extra weight to incumbents unlike the NRA. Moreover, they take a hardline approach to candidates who blow off their issues survey. If you blow off the survey and have no voting record, you get zero stars. I still shake my head at local Republicans who do this such as Pratik Bhakta in my state house district. He did get an AQ rating from the NRA but I don’t know how.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation doesn’t rate head-to-head races for Congress. However, they do have a report card with the ratings of each member of the House and Senate. Bear in mind that some of these politicians are not running again or have been defeated in primary.

The NRA-PVF does rate candidates for Congress, state legislatures, and some other races like the North Carolina Supreme Court. You do not need to be a member to see their ratings and endorsements. Just click on your state on the map they have to find their ratings and endorsements.

Gun Owners of America only does Congressional races. Their ratings do differ a bit from that of the NRA and are a bit tougher in general. You can find them here.

If I had one suggestion to make here besides making your voice heard by voting, it would be to seek out the ratings or recommendations from your state level gun rights group first. This is especially true when it comes to state legislators and other state and local candidates. Whereas the NRA-ILA may have one representative covering two or more states, the state level groups know who is who on the local basis. They know who has stood with them in the past, who has worked with them at various levels of government, and who has actually attended their events.

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Early 1-Stop Voting Starts Tomorrow In NC (Updated)

October 19, 2022

by John Richardson

Early one-stop voting starts on Thursday, October 20th, in North Carolina. The premier race is for the US Senate. It pits Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC13) against former NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. This is going to be a very, very close race as they are virtually tied.

For those who value the Second Amendment this is a critical race that we must win. On one side you have Ted Budd who not only supports gun rights but owns a gun store and range. He isn’t afraid to be seen shooting in his campaign photos and ads. You may remember I mentioned running into him at Montgomery Community College while he was touring the gunsmithing department.

BRUCE HENDERSON *bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com*

On the other side, Beasley is an Everytown Gunsense endorsed candidate. She also put this on her campaign website. Need I say more?

We #WearOrange to honor the lives that have been changed forever by preventable gun violence. pic.twitter.com/9BFFQj4Zck
— Cheri Beasley (@CheriBeasleyNC) June 5, 2022

Cheri also believes that we must keep our children and communities safe by also implementing common sense gun safety measures like universal background checks, encouraging safe storage and closing loopholes to prevent domestic abusers and those with mental health issues from being able to obtain a gun. We must also do more to stop the plague of mass shootings across our communities by keeping combat-style weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets and away from our schools.

I have highlighted all the buzz words used by gun prohibitionists.

There are many other races as well that are just as critical ranging from Congress to the appellate judicial races to the state house and senate.

In my own Congressional district, you have self-made businessman St. Sen. Chuck Edwards who just happens to hold a FFL against Buncombe County Comm. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara. While neither has made gun rights a part of their campaign, you have to know that Edwards will support gun owners and Beach-Ferrara will not. Her main campaign focus seems to be abortion where she portrays herself as a caring, pro-abortion minister. Edwards’ focus is on the economy and inflation.

Two NC Supreme Court seats are up for grabs. If the Republicans take both of them, they will then be in the majority on the court and we probably won’t get rulings overturning the vote on constitutional amendments dealing with tax reform and voter ID. While both Republican candidates are good, Judge Richard Dietz who is now on the NC Court of Appeals really stands out. He has argued the Abramski case before the US Supreme Court. While he unfortunately lost, we know he is pro-Second Amendment and pro-self defense.

The other seat has Justice Sam J. Ervin IV (D) versus Trey Allen (R) who serves as the General Counsel for the Administrative Office of the Courts. I met Jimmy Ervin (who now goes by Sam) years ago when in college. He and I were both heads of our respective chapters of College Democrats. (Yes, I was young, stupid, and a Democrat at one time.) Despite his Harvard Law degree, he never has been seen as one of those brilliant lawyers who must be on the bench. What he does have is a famous last name. Grandpa (Sam Jr) served like Jimmy on the NC Supreme Court and as a US Senator while Daddy (Sam III) served as a NC Superior Court judge and on the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. We don’t have hereditary rights to office in this country though it seems that the sons and grandsons of politicians often “inherit” a seat. He is running an “aw, shucks” kind of ad saying he works to balance the law and the facts. If that was really the case, then he would have broken with the Democrat majority on the NC Supreme Court in voting down voter ID.

In the State House and Senate, if the Republicans can flip just a handful of seats, they will regain their super-majority. In terms of gun rights, this would mean the end of the Jim Crow era pistol purchase permit who Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vetoed.

To see where the legislative candidates – state and Federal – stand on gun rights, Grass Roots North Carolina has their candidate evaluations posted. You can search by name or by district. The GRNC-Political Victory Fund recommendations have been released and have gone out by email. As soon as I get a link to it, I will post it. One thing I should note, if a candidate didn’t have a voting record and didn’t return the GRNC survey they are rated zero stars. For the life of me, I cannot understand Republican candidates who just ignore the survey. You don’t have to be great; you only have to better than the Democrat.

The Judicial Fairness Project has their recommendations posted for NC appellate level judges. These are candidates who have pledged to uphold originalist interpretations of the Constitution.

One thing I heard at the recent Gun Rights Policy Conference was that over 30% of gun owners don’t bother voting. Just imagine if the majority of them did vote and voted for gun rights.

UPDATE: I now have an updated link to the Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund candidate recommendations for the General Election.

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GRNC-PVF Releases NC Primary Recommendations

April 18, 2022

by John Richardson

The Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund has released their recommendations for the May primary. As a reminder, GRNC-PVF makes recommendations – not endorsements – after reviewing each candidate’s response to their questionnaire as well as their past voting record (if any). Unlike some organizations like the NRA-PVF, it does not automatically give a preference to incumbents.

They only make recommendations when there is a contested primary. Moreover, if a candidate blows off the questionnaire, they get a 0* rating.

From the GRNC-PVF release that came out last night:

2022 GRNC-PVF Candidate Recommendations(Listings include only districts with primary races)

Candidate recommendations versus evaluations: Below are recommendations for effective voting strategies by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Candidate recommendations, which are more limited than blanket “endorsements,” are not made in all races, only in races where a clear pro-gun candidate stands out or where strategic voting is necessary to keep anti-gun candidates out of office. Note that in most cases, even pro-gun candidates are not included unless they have a primary election challenger.Recommendations differ from GRNC candidate evaluations. While the evaluations are intended to provide an objective measure of where candidates stand on Second Amendment issues, GRNC–PVF recommendations are analytical and therefore subject to interpretation. For a full explanation of GRNC’s objective star evaluations, go to: 2022 Candidate EvaluationsImportant notes:

1.       Candidates who lack voting records or other history on Second Amendment issues and who fail to return GRNC’s candidate survey automatically receive a 0-star evaluation on the assumption that they are hiding their position from gun voters. Every election year, we receive complaints about ostensibly pro-gun candidates who receive zero star evaluations due to failure to return the survey. Each candidate is mailed a survey to the address he or she registered with the State Board of Elections. If they fail to return the survey, we cannot help candidates who will not help themselves.

2.       GRNC-PVF candidate recommendations generally are NOT blanket endorsements. We have analyzed nearly 200 races across the state. Unless otherwise stipulated, GRNC does not evaluate candidates on issues other than support for the Second Amendment. A GRNC-PVF recommendation does NOT reflect the candidate’s stance on other issues, and it does not reflect likelihood of winning a given race. The recommendation is merely our estimate of which candidate in a given race is most pro-gun.

3.       GRNC-PVF candidate recommendations are not given in all races. They are given only for races in which there are clear differences between the Second Amendment stances of candidates and are generally not provided for races in which a candidate is unopposed.

4.       Candidate evaluation listings: After each candidate’s name, his or her voting record (if applicable) or survey score is placed in parentheses along with their GRNC star evaluation (e.g. ****). “NR” indicates the candidate refused to return GRNC’s survey. If the candidate lacks a voting record, he or she gets a 0-star evaluation on the presumption that they are hiding their position.

5.       Recommended candidates: Recommended candidates’ names are printed in bold, upper case font (e.g. JOE SMITH).

Voter deadlines and instructions:
►   April 22: Deadline for voter registration or to update registration (e.g. for an address change). Click here for details. To check your voter registration, click here. Note: If you are registered as “unaffiliated,” you may vote in either the Democrat or Republican primary election.
►   April 28: Primary election One Stop Early Voting begins. Click here for details. Click here to find your One Stop Early Voting place.
►   May 10 at 5:00 PM: Last day to submit an absentee ballot request form. Click here for information on voting by mail.
►   May 14 at 3:00 PM: One Stop Early Voting ends.
►   May 17, 2022, 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM: Primary Election Day: Click here to find your polling place on Election Day.

GRNC-PVF CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS

FEDERAL RACES

US SENATE (R)To replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr, the clear standout for gun voters in the race is Rep. TED BUDD (GRNC ****). Not only was Budd a Life member of GRNC long before running for Congress, he is also a gun shop owner. More importantly, he has compiled the best record on Second Amendment issues of any legislator in the NC delegation to Congress, including a 100% pro-gun voting record and co-sponsorship of several pro-gun bills. Budd and Rep. Dan Bishop have the distinction of being the only members of the NC delegation to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act because it contained “red flag” gun confiscation for military members.  By contrast, opponent Pat McCrory (GRNC ***) is a RINO (“Republican in Name Only”) of the first order who has used a variety of false accusations to attack Budd. Worse, North Carolinians are still saddled with our Jim Crow era pistol purchase permit law – which urban sheriffs are using to obstruct handgun purchases – thanks to McCrory. In 2013, as governor, he threatened to veto omnibus pro-gun House Bill 937 unless the purchase permit repeal was removed from the bill.

Although some gun voters have supported Mark Walker in the race, he has no chance of winning the Republican nomination and acts principally as a spoiler by siphoning off votes needed by Budd to defeat McCrory. In this race, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends you vote for TED BUDD.

US HOUSE

Unfortunately, we are dealing with congressional districts imposed on us by the “special masters” which the Democrat-controlled NC Supreme Court selected to redraw districts after rejecting those drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature. Despite our Republican-leaning state, the “special masters” drew districts which, in normal election years, would yield 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans, effectively costing Republicans two seats. Given that NC picked up a congressional seat and that districts are new, the following analysis will also contain the partisan leaning of each district.

District 1 (R): In this Democrat-leaning (D+5) district, the Republican primary features 8 candidates, only three of which returned GRNC’s candidate survey: SANDY ROBERSON (100%, ****), SANDY SMITH (100%, ****), and BILLY STRICKLAND (100%, ****). Given identical survey scores and GRNC evaluations, GRNC-PVF can only recommend that you pick one of the three.

District 2: In this solidly Democrat (D+13) district, no Republican returned the GRNC survey. The seat is currently held by anti-gun Democrat Deborah Ross (0-star). GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this district.

District 3 (R): In this solidly Republican (R+12) district, incumbent Greg Murphy (****) faces a field of four Republican challengers in which Brian Michael Friend and George J. Papastrat, returned the GRNC survey with scores of 93 and 91, respectively, giving both 4-star (****) evaluations. Because Murphy has dropped two gun votes in recent sessions of Congress, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in the district.

District 4 (R): In what is the most Democrat district in NC (D+16), perennial anti-gun Democrat David Price retired, but with no less than 8 0-star Democrats vying to replace him, things in the district are not likely to improve. That said, in the race for the Republican nomination, GRNC-PVF recommends ROBERT THOMAS (GRNC survey: 98%, ****) over Courtney Geels (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 5 (R): In this solidly Republican (R+10) district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent VIRGINIA FOXX (****) over challenger Michael Ackerman (survey: NR, 0-star), but notes that Foxx has dropped gun votes in recent sessions of Congress and should be watched carefully.

District 6 (R): In this Democrat-leaning (D+6) district, 7 Republicans are vying for the nomination to face anti-gun incumbent Kathy Manning (0-star). Mary Ann Contogiannis, Lee Haywood, William (Bill) Schuch, and Laura Pichardo returned GRNC’s survey, scoring 100, 98, 91 and 73, respectively. On the basis of Haywood’s history of conservative political activism, GRNC-PVF recommends LEE HAYWOOD.

District 7 (R): In this Republican-leaning (R+5) district, incumbent David Rouzer (pro-gun votes: 93%, ****) faces Max Southworth-Beckwith (GRNC survey: 98%, ****). Based on Rouzer’s long history of pro-gun votes, GRNC-PVF recommends DAVID ROUZER, but cautions that Rouzer did drop one vote in the current session of Congress.

District 8 (R): In this solidly Republican (R+17) district, incumbent Dan Bishop (pro-gun votes: 96%, ****) does not face a primary challenger, but deserves kudos for voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because it contained “red flag” gun confiscation measures for military personnel. Among the NC delegation, only Bishop and Rep. Ted Budd had the guts to vote against the NDAA.

District 9 (R): In the most neutral of Republican-leaning (R+3) districts drawn, incumbent Richard Hudson (pro-gun votes: 82%, ****) faces 3 challengers, including Mike Andriani (GRNC survey 100%, ****) and Francisco Rios (GRNC survey: 100%, ****). Given two 4-star challengers and the fact that Hudson has dropped two gun votes in recent sessions of Congress, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this primary.

District 10 (R): In NC’s most Republican congressional district (R+19) Congressman Patrick McHenry (pro-gun votes: 92%, ****) faces four primary challengers. McHenry has been a friend of gun owners ever since his service in the NC House, including his effort to ensure passage of a clean concealed handgun reciprocity bill. Therefore, we are deeply concerned that Rep. McHenry recently dropped the NDAA vote described above. Owing to his long history of service to gun owners, GRNC-PVF continues to recommend PATRICK MCHENRY, but notes that with a primary featuring pro-gun Jeff Gregory (GRNC survey: 98%, GRNC ****), Congressman McHenry needs to focus on avoiding the inherently corrupting influences of incumbency.

District 11 (R): The Republican primary for this Republican-leaning (R+5) district is a slugfest featuring 7 Republican challengers to incumbent Republican Madison Cawthorn (pro-gun votes: 89%, ****). Cawthorn has made a series of gaffs, including being reprimanded by Republican leadership, which damage his legislative effectiveness. Combined with dropping the NDAA vote in his first term in office (he says he voted for it knowing the red flag language would be stripped in the Senate), gun voters in the district should consider replacing him. That replacement should NOT, however, be Wendy Marie-Limbaugh Nevarez, whom leftist Democrat Moe Davis (defeated by Cawthorn in 2020) recruited and for whom he is recruiting Democrats to change registration to vote for her. Challengers Rod Honeycutt and Michele V. Woodhouse both scored 100 on GRNC’s survey, earning 4-star evaluations, but the standout is Rep. CHUCK EDWARDS (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****), who is not only a federally licensed gun dealer, but has a 100% voting record in the NC ~~House~~ Senate and has helped GRNC pass pro-gun legislation through the legislature. GRNC-PVF recommends CHUCK EDWARDS.

District 12: In this D+14 Democrat district, none of the 3 Republican challengers completed GRNC’s survey, giving all of them 0-star evaluations. But it doesn’t really matter because none of them can defeat ensconced leftist Democrat Alma Adams (0-star).

District 13 (R): The race for this open seat in the most competitive “swing” (D+1) district in the state features no less than 8 Republicans, 5 of which refused to return GRNC’s survey, earning them the lowest 0-star evaluation. The three 4-star Republicans are Renee Ellmers, DeVan Barbour, and Bo Hines. In previous service in the US House, Ellmers proved to be a disappointment. Trump has endorsed Hines, but some Johnston County Republicans object that he hasn’t lived in the district. GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 14: In this new, Democrat-leaning (D+6) district, the only candidate to return the GRNC survey was Jonathan Simpson, who scored only 79, earning a poor 2-star (**) evaluation. GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

STATE RACES

NC JUDICIAL RACES The redistricting debacle, in which activist Democrats on the NC Supreme Court invented reasons to reduce the number of conservatives NC sends to Washington, emphasizes why Second Amendment voters MUST vote in judicial elections. Two seats on the NC Supreme Court and four on the NC Court of Appeals will be on the ballot in the state’s 2022 elections with majority control up for grabs in on each court. In particular, Republicans stand an excellent chance of reversing the 4-3 majority currently held by Democrats.

NC Supreme Court Seat 3: For this open seat, there are no primaries for either Republican or Democrat nominations. Court of Appeals Judge Richard Dietz will face Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman in November. Despite the lack of primaries, however, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends Judge RICHARD DIETZ, who is a strong originalist and constitutionalist who respects the Second Amendment and has argued gun rights before the US Supreme Court.

NC Supreme Court Seat 5: The race for this seat features two Republicans vying for the nomination to challenge incumbent Democrat Justice Same Ervin IV. The Republicans are Trey Allen, who previously clerked for conservative Chief Justice Paul Newby, and Court of Appeals Judge April Wood. Either Allen or Wood would likely be good on the court. However, if Wood won the race for NC Supreme Court, leftist Democrat Governor Roy Cooper would appoint a Democrat to replace her on the Court of Appeals, potentially shifting control of the Appeals Court to Democrats. For this reason, GRNC-PVF recommends TREY ALLEN for the Republican nomination.

NC Court of Appeals Seat 9 (Stroud seat): Although GRNC-PVF has supported incumbent Republican Donna Stroud in past elections, she faces District Court Judge Beth Freshwater-Smith, who is a stronger constitutionalist and Second Amendment supporter, in the Republican primary. GRNC-PVF recommends Judge BETH FRESHWATER-SMITH.

NC Court of Appeals Seat 11 (Jackson seat): In 2020, Gov. Cooper appointed former NC House Rep. Darren Jackson (GRNC 0-star) to a vacant seat which is now up for re-election. Jackson is an anti-gun leftist with only a 7% pro-gun voting record in the House. Republicans Charlton Allen and District Court Judge Michael Stading are vying for the Republican nomination to challenge Jackson. Because Stading is a strong constitutionalist who respects the Second Amendment, GRNC-PVF recommends Judge MICHAEL STADING.

NC SENATE
District 01 (R): In a district which found two Republicans “double bunked,” GRNC-PVF recommends NORMAN SANDERSON (pro-gun voting record: 100%, ****) over Bob Steinburg (pro-gun voting record: 84%, ***).
District 04 (R): This race represents a rare opportunity for gun voters. In the Republican primary for NC Senate District 4, the GRNC-PVF strongly recommends BUCK NEWTON (pro-gun voting record: 100%, GRNC ****). In previous NC Senate service, Newton was a gun rights leader who wrote and sponsored numerous pro-gun bills. Meanwhile, opponent Joe DeMocko (GRNC survey: NR, GRNC 0-star) refused to return GRNC’s candidate survey, suggesting that he doesn’t want you to know where he stands on the Second Amendment. In this race, Newton is the clear choice.
District 05 (D): In this D+8 district, GRNC-PVF recommends LENTON CREDELLE BROWN (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Kandie D. Smith (NC House pro-gun voting record: 25%, 0-star).
District 10 (R): In this R+11 district, GRNC-PVF recommends BENTON SAWREY (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Matt Ansley and Jill Homan (both GRNC surveys: NR, 0-star).
District 12 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JIM BURGIN (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over challengers David Buboltz and Ernie Watson (both GRNC surveys: NR, 0-star).
District 13 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DAVID BANKERT (GRNC survey: 96%, ****) over Jeff Werner (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 18 (R): In this race, E.C. Sykes (GRNC survey: 95%, ****) and Dimitry Slabyak (GRNC survey: 93%, ****) both earned 4-star evaluations. Consequently, GRNC-PVF makes no recommendation in this race.
District 19 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends WESLEY MEREDITH (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Dennis Britt (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) due to Meredith’s voting record and history of bill sponsorship in previous NC Senate service.
District 30 (R): In this rematch, Steve Jarvis (****) and incumbent Eddie Gallimore (****) have both returned GRNC surveys (with 98% and 97%, respectively), both have 100% pro-gun voting records, and sponsored pro-gun legislation in the past (Gallimore in the NC Senate, Jarvis in the NC House). However, Gallimore is the more devoted Second Amendment supporter. GRNC-PVF recommends EDDIE GALLIMORE.
District 36 (R): Shirley Blackburn Randleman (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****), Lee Zachary (pro-gun votes: 87%, ****) and Eddie Settle (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) have all earned 4-star evaluations. However, GRNC-PVF recommends SHIRLEY BLACKBURN RANDLEMAN due to her 100% voting record in previous senate service.
District 37 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends VICKIE SAWYER (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Tom Fyler (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 42 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends SCOTT STONE (pro-gun votes in previous service: 100%, ****) over Cheryl Russo (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 46 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends WARREN DANIEL (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Mark Crawford (GRNC survey: 98%, ****).
District 47(R): An unfortunate race in which two pro-gun Republicans have been “double bunked.” Both Deanna Ballard (****) and Ralph Hise (****) have 100% pro-gun voting records. GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

NC HOUSE
District 5 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DONALD KIRKLAND (GRNC survey: 92%, ****) over Bill Ward (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 6 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MURRAY SIMPKINS (GRNC survey: 99%, ****) over Joe Pike (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 9 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends TONY MOORE (GRNC survey: 94%, ****) over Timothy Reeder(GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 13 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends either PETE BENTON (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) or CELESTE CAIRNS (GRNC survey: 100%, ****), but not Eden Gordon Hill (survey: NR, 0-star).
District 14 (R): Incumbent George Cleveland is one of the few long-term stalwart Second Amendment defenders of the NC House, with a 100% voting record and repeated 100% survey score, more than earning a GRNC 4-star evaluation (****). GRNC-PVF strongly recommends GEORGE CLEVELAND over challenger Debbie Burke (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 25 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends ALLEN CHESSER (survey: 99%, ****) over Yvonne McLeod (survey: 87%, ***) or Alsey Heth Hopkins (survey: NR, 0-star).
District 26 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DONNA MCDOWELL WHITE (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over challenger Rick Walker (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 28 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends LARRY STRICKLAND (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over James Davenport (GRNC survey: 79%, **).
District 35 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends FRED VON CANON (GRNC survey 92%, ****) over Brandon Panameno (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 43 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DIANE WHEATLEY (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Clarence W. Goins, Jr. (GRNC survey: 94%, ****) due to Wheatley’s demonstrated voting record.
District 47 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends JARROD LOWERY (GRNC survey: 96%, ****) over Mickey Biggs (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 52 (R): In another unfortunate double-bunking of Republicans with good voting records, GRNC-PVF recommends BEN MOSS (pro-gun votes: 100%, GRNC ****) over Jamie Boles (pro-gun votes: 95%, ****).
District 53 (R): Because voting record is a better measure of candidates than survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends HOWARD PENNY, JR. (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Brian Hawley (GRNC survey: 100%, ****).
District 54 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends CRAIG KINSEY (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Walter Petty (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 55 (R): Because voting record is a better measure of candidates than survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends MARK BRODY (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Brandon Smith (GRNC survey: 96%, ****).
District 63 (R): Because voting record is a better measure of candidates than survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends STEPHEN ROSS (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over Ed Priola (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) or Peter Boykin (GRNC survey: 95%, ****).
District 65 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends A. REECE PYRTLE, JR. (GRNC survey: 94%, ****) over Joseph A. Gibson III (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 70 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent PAT B. HURLEY (pro-gun votes: 94%, ****) over challenger Brian Biggs (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 73 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends PARISH MOFFITT (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Catherine Whiteford (GRNC survey: 88%, ***) and Brian Echevarria (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 78 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends CORY BORTREE (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over David Ashley (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star) and Neal Jackson (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 79 (R): GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent KEITH KIDWELL (pro-gun votes: 100%) over challenger Ed Hege (GRNC survey: 100%, ****). Kidwell has been a leader for gun rights, sponsoring numerous pro-gun bills.
District 83 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends BRAD JENKINS (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Kevin Crutchfield (GRNC survey: 88%, ***) and Grayson Haff (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 89 (R): Because voting record is a better measure of candidates than survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends MITCH SETZER (pro-gun votes: 98%, ****) over Benjamin Devine (GRNC survey: 100%, ****). Kelli Weaver Moore (GRNC survey: 84%, ***).
District 90 (R): Incumbent Sarah Stevens (pro gun votes: 93%, ***) dropped votes in years past but has voted with gun owners in recent years. Challenger Benjamin Romans returned a 100% survey, earning four stars (****). GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.
District 91 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent KYLE HALL (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) over James Douglas (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star) and Stephen L. James (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 109 (R): In this four-way Republican primary, Donnie Loftis is the incumbent but has no voting record because he was recently appointed to fill a vacant seat. GRNC-PVF recommends DONNIE LOFTIS (GRNC survey: 95%, ****) over Lauren Bumgardner Current (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star), John Gouch (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star) and Ronnie Worley (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).
District 113 (R): Another unfortunate district in which redistricting double-bunked two pro-gun Republicans, Jake Johnson (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) and David Rogers (pro-gun votes: 100%, ****) have identical voting and survey scores. GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.
District 117 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DENNIS JUSTICE (GRNC survey: 96%, ****) over Jennifer Capps Balkcom (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star) and Chelsea Walsh (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

This message supporting the above-named candidates was authorized and paid for solely by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Note – GRNC-PVF did not pay me to report their recommendations. I have reposted them as a news item.

Uncategorized

GRNC-PVF Steel Match And BBQ

April 4, 2022

by John Richardson

The Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund will be holding a steel match and a BBQ to raise funds to support pro-2A candidates. The event will be held on Saturday, April 9th, at the Hyatt Farms Shooting Complex in Polkton, NC. A number of pro-gun VIPs will be attending including Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R-NC), Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC), Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), and NC Ct of Appeals Judge Richard Deitz (R-NC). Note that some changes in timing were made due to a North Carolina rally by former President Donald Trump later in the day.

More details are in the release from GRNC-PVF below:

http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/cimages/5bcf6b4cbc542c90ce112ef502d41dff/Hyatt_Farms_logors.jpg

Uncategorized

A Guide To Candidates NOT To Vote For

November 3, 2020

by John Richardson

There are a lot of voter guides out there. I’ve posted the one from Grass Roots North Carolina-Political Victory Fund earlier. If you are a NRA member you have gotten their voter guide in your last magazine. GOA has one out there as well rating candidates.

However, if you ever needed a guide to candidates that never, ever should get your vote, Michael Bloomberg’s billions have come through!

The Gun Sense Voter site lists 4,475 candidates that would work to abridge your civil rights.

That’s right – four thousand four hundred seventy-five candidates who believe sucking up to Michael Bloomberg is more important than defending your Constitutional rights. This year in 2020, we have seen that they are not only satisfied with curtailing your Second Amendment rights but your First Amendment rights as well.

Here is a screen shot from my district in North Carolina. They want you, of course, to vote for Biden and Harris, Cal “Jody” Cunningham, and the incredibly angry Moe Davis who wants to stomp on your neck.

So, if you haven’t already voted, get out there, stand in line as long as you must, and vote to preserve all your rights.

Uncategorized

An Attack On The Freedom Caucus?

March 2, 2020

by John Richardson 3 Comments

Thanks to court-ordered redistricting, I will now be back in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina starting with this election. I was looking forward to having Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC-11) as my congressman again. Unfortunately, he decided to retire and that set off a free-for-all, both Republican and Democrat, to succeed him.

We have been inundated with mailers, TV ads, and robocalls. You can’t drive past any corner without seeing a number of yard signs. The common theme in all the ads for the Republicans is that they are rock ribbed conservatives who are pro-gun and need to be sent to DC to fight for President Trump and his agenda.

The majority of the TV ads are for Republicans Chuck Archerd, Jim Davis, Dan Driscoll, and Lynda Bennett. It seems negative ads and mailers have been aimed specifically at Lynda Bennett accusing her of being a “never Trumper”.

I should note at this time that Bennett was endorsed by both Rep. Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan of the Freedom Caucus. Meadows has been doing TV ads for Bennett as well. She was also recommended by Grass Roots North Carolina thanks to her perfect 100 on the GRNC survey, endorsement by Meadows, and connections to other pro-gun conservatives in the district.

When I started hearing some of the anti-Bennett ads, I started to pay attention to who sponsored them. They were coming from a super-PAC called Fix Congress Now. They accused her of being “a Never Trumper” which I found odd given her endorsement by Meadows. At the same time, this same group has been funding pro-Dan Driscoll ads.

The GRNC-PVF alert below lays out this in more detail. In full disclosure, I helped do much of the research for that alert.

First off, we have a group that claims to be ‘non partisan’ but is pushing more leftist pablum than Bernie Sanders ordering a nonfat latte. Stuff like open primaries, vote by mail, and “unity” candidates. You know those candidates who would sell out your Second Amendment rights in a heartbeat.

Seems like they wanted to besmirch liberty advocate Lynda Bennett in the primary for the 11th District with the proven false ‘NeverTrumper’ smear. The mailing against Bennett was from ‘Fix Congress Now’ connected to Jeffrey Carson of ‘Unite America’ from Colorado, of all places, so much for the hometown touch. They even share the same suite of offices in Denver.

Federal Election Commission records show that Fix Congress Now has gotten 100% of their funding from Colorado-based Unite America. Moreover, Fix Congress Now has spent a combined $424,000 as of this week to either oppose Lynda Bennett or to support Dan Driscoll.

Unite America has Everytown-endorsed former Congressman Carlos Curbelo of Florida and “independent” Greg Orman of Kansas as advisors. Orman, running on an anti-constitutional carry platform, sabotaged pro-gun Kris Kobach in the race for governor of Kansas allowing an anti-gun Democrat to win that red state.

Just Wednesday, Dan Driscoll even received a $5,600 maximum contribution directly from Unite America.

You have to ask yourself why would, Fix Congress Now and Unite America spend so much money to defeat a candidate endorsed by Congressman Mark Meadows. And why would they support a guy who only moved to the 11th District in the last month or so? Did they see in Driscoll a RINO who would say anything to get elected and who would support their leftist agenda?
Lynda Bennett has promised to replace Mark Meadows in the Freedom Caucus.
We should note that the only reason centrist Republicans in Colorado would spend $277,000 against a member of their own party would be to break up the Freedom Caucus by electing a more controllable Moderate, specifically Dan Driscoll.

A quick search of the Federal Election Commission’s website shows that the only other candidate being opposed by Fix Congress Now is former California Assemblyman Tim Donnelly who is running for Congress in the 8th Congressional District of California. Donnelly, like Bennett, has been endorsed by the House Freedom Fund as well as Sen. Rand Paul.

Given super PAC Fix Congress Now has received 100% of their funding from Unite America, it is interesting to see what is their agenda. They list their goals as:

Independent Redistricting
Open Primaries
Ranked Choice Voting
Vote By Mail
“Unity” Candidates

This list of goals is not something any conservative candidate would support. Independent redistricting has been shown to favor Democrats as been shown by the California experience. Open primaries allow one side or the other to nominate the weakest candidate for the preferred candidate to face. Ranked choice voting is why Maine has two Democrats in Congress instead of a Democrat and a Republican. Vote by mail is just asking for fraud. Finally, unity candidates are rarely, if ever, pro-2A when push comes to shove.

Coming back to the race in the 11th District, I find it the height of hypocrisy for Fix Congress Now/Unite America to castigate Bennett as anti-Trump and then push their preferred candidate Dan Driscoll as being pro-Trump. While Driscoll might actually be pro-Trump, that would tend to go against everything Fix Congress Now/Unite America has stood for since their founding.

Tuesday we will find out if people in North Carolina and California were swayed by their fallacious advertising. I hope now. I wasn’t.