Republicans now hold a majority on the Robeson County Board of Commissioners for the first time in history, after Faline Locklear Dial, Judy Sampson, and Lance Herndon officially changed their party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, according to a press release from the North Carolina Republican Party. The move now gives Republicans a 6-2 majority on the board.
Robeson County has trended more Republican in recent years, shifting from a longtime Democratic stronghold to supporting Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections.
Commissioner Judy Sampson said the decision was made to better represent the voters in her district.
“Following careful consideration and consultation with my constituents, I have made the decision to change my party affiliation to Republican. In the 2024 and 2020 elections, Robeson County’s District Five gave 70% and 64% of the vote to Donald Trump, respectively,” said Sampson in the press release. “Through the years, I have listened attentively to the concerns of the people I represent. And I firmly believe that this change will enable me to more accurately reflect and serve the interests of our constituents, which include faith, family, freedom, and fiscal responsibility.”
Democratic voter registration in the county has seen a sharp decline, falling from 71% to 41% over the past decade. Since 2015, Republican registration has increased from 12% to 21%, while the share of unaffiliated voters has grown from 18% to 37%.
Rep. Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson, who flipped House District 47 from Democrat to Republican in 2022, said the Republican Party is offering voters access to the American Dream.
“The story of Robeson County’s political realignment is continuation of Democrats leaving working class people behind,” Lowery told Carolina Journal. “From their unfair trade policies to Bidenomics, they have crushed the American Dream for working people but the Republican Party is standing in the gap to not only protect liberty but to reinvigorate the American Dream for all people. I welcome the Commissioners to the Republican Party, I’m excited for the future!”
Commissioner Faline Locklear Dial, echoing the sentiments of her fellow commissioners, said, in the press release, that she aims to be the best possible representative for her constituents.
“After much prayer, consideration, and consultation with my constituents, I made the decision to change my party affiliation to Republican. District Four’s voting history over the past several election cycles has voted Republican, and I want to be the best representative for my constituents as possible,” said Dial. “This change does not impact my standards in making sound decisions for Robeson County, and I look forward to continuing to serve my district as county commissioner.”
The post Party switch gives GOP edge in Robeson County first appeared on Carolina Journal.
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Author: NIck Craig
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