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Chairman's Corner

  • Oct 15
  • 3 min read

Chairman's Report


Newberry County Republican Party

Dear Fellow Republicans,

As we wrap up another vibrant month in Newberry County, I'm thrilled to share highlights from our activities, financial standing, and exciting plans ahead. October has been packed with opportunities to connect, recruit, and rally for conservative values right here in our community. Your dedication makes all the difference—thank you for your continued support!

Financial Update

A big shoutout to Treasurer Debby Greenlaw for her diligent stewardship. As of our October 6 Officers Meeting, our account balance stands at $8,553.36. This reflects steady growth from last month's $5,952.05, fueled by fundraising efforts like ticket sales and member dues. Let's keep the momentum going!

Oktoberfest Success: A Day to Remember

What a fantastic turnout for the Newberry Oktoberfest on October 4! From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Main Street, our booth was buzzing with energy under perfect weather. We set up bright and early at the GOP HQ to haul out the tent, chairs, tables, banners, and flags—everything came together seamlessly. Our spot across from the Humane Society was prime real estate, decked out with Veterans and American flags, Charlie Kirk signs, our Newberry GOP banner, plus water and candy for passersby.

It was a successful and fun time for all involved! We welcomed 5 new members on the spot and sold a ton of tickets for our upcoming gun drawing. Special thanks to our incredible volunteers who manned the booth all day—you know who you are, and your enthusiasm was contagious. We couldn't have pulled it off without you. A huge appreciation also goes to our distinguished visitors: Congressman Ralph Norman, Attorney General Alan Wilson, U.S. House Representative Sherri Biggs, and State Representative Joe White, who mingled with folks and even joined a stroll down Main Street with other candidates handing out info, stickers, and t-shirts. Representatives from the campaigns of Lindsay Graham, Pamela Evette, and David Pascoe were also in attendance.

Fundraising Wins

Our Gun Drawing Fundraiser is off to a roaring start! We're raffling a SAR9 SOCOM Full-Size Pistol with tickets at just $20 each—only 125 available total. As of October 6, we've already sold over 100, so grab yours quick via our website, at Wilson Tractor, or in person at our October 16 meeting (drawing that night!). Proceeds will bolster our efforts—thank you to everyone who's purchased and promoted.

Don't miss our Golf Tournament on November 17 at Mid-Carolina Country Club. Teams, sponsors, and volunteers are still needed—reach out to Chad, Marlene, Tammy, or me to join the fun and support a great cause.

 

Upcoming Meetings and Speakers

Mark your calendars—our slate of speakers and events is heating up:

·         October 16 (Thursday, 7:00 PM): Prosperity Civic Center – Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (running for Governor in 2026). Plus, the big gun drawing!

·         October 23 (Thursday, 11:00 AM): Ladies Luncheon at Little Mountain Antique Café – Hosted by 1st Vice Chair Susan Buck. A casual spot to connect; bring a friend!

·         November 1 (Saturday, 9:00 AM): Morning Roundtable at Mid-Carolina Country Club – 2nd Vice Chair Travis Grimsley leading, Susan Buck on minutes. Speaker TBD (ideas like County Council members welcome).

·         November 20 (Thursday, 7:00 PM): Molly Fortune (SC250) and Wesley Donahue (SCDOGE).

·         December 11 (Thursday): Holiday Party.

·         March 19 (Thursday): State Treasurer Curtis Loftis.

 

Attend local School Board (October 27, 7:00 PM) meeting—stream online if you can't make it in person. Stay engaged; your voice matters!

Community Spotlights

·         Christmas Parades: Gear up for festive floats! Newberry (Nov 22, 5:30 PM – "Berry Bright Nights," lineup 3:00 PM), Prosperity (Dec 7, 3:00 PM – "Christmas on the Lily Pad at Frog Level"), and Whitmire (Dec 13 – details soon). Travis is providing a 30 ft trailer; Susan's on planning duty.

·         December 18 Christmas Party: At the country club with catered dinner and silent auction. Start collecting auction items from your favorite businesses—let's make it merry and lucrative!

State Legislative Watch

Keeping an eye on Columbia: The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children kicked off hearings September 30 with requests on everything from child nutrition to affordable housing—catch them online for bill previews. The Unborn Child Protection Act (S.323) had a packed testimony session; no vote yet, but it's redefining terms and adding penalties on abortion restrictions. Read the full bill to cut through the noise. Next session starts January 13, 2026—only 103 days away. For deeper dives, check ConservaTruth resources.

Website & Social Media

Follow us on the website and socials for real-time news, ticket sales, and volunteer calls.

Have items for next month's report? Send to al.jenks@yahoo.com by the 5th—let's amplify our wins!

In God we Trust,

Alan Jenkins

Chairman, Newberry County Republican Party 

Dear Newberry County Republicans,

As we head into the heart of fall, our local GOP continues to build strong momentum with high-energy meetings, dedicated volunteers, and a focus on advancing conservative values like faith, family, and freedom. We've seen impressive turnout and engagement in recent gatherings, and we're gearing up for an exciting lineup of events that will strengthen our community ties and support Republican causes. Below is a recap of our latest activities, a financial snapshot, and details on upcoming opportunities to join the action.

Recent Highlights

· August 3rd Thursday Meeting (August 21, 2025): We had a fantastic turnout of 78 attendees at the Prosperity Civic Center, including our full executive board. Chairman Alan Jenkins called the meeting to order, with prayer by Kelley Marsh, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Republican Creed. Elected officials like Congressman Ralph Norman (our guest speaker and 2026 gubernatorial candidate), State Rep. Joe White, Senator Ronnie Cromer, City Council Woman Dr Maria Dickerson and others joined us. Norman shared his bold agenda: fixing roads, improving schools, enforcing common-sense bathroom policies, term limits, judicial accountability, creating an SC DOGE to eliminate waste, 100% pro-life and pro-gun stances, and challenging RINOs. Special guests included Moms for Liberty's Caitlin Boyle and past Chairman Alan Gardner. Minutes were approved, and we launched our 2A fundraiser—more on that below!

· Officers Meeting (September 2, 2025): Our core team met to strategize, with Chairman Jenkins opening in prayer. We reviewed speakers, and plans for fundraisers like the 2A and golf tournament fundraisers. We're posting more frequently on Facebook—please repost to amplify our reach! We also detailed Oktoberfest setup, inviting veterans to join our "Honor Our Veterans" theme, and outlined Christmas parades and party preparations.

· Saturday Morning Round Table (September 6, 2025): 16 members gathered at Mid Carolina Country Club, with officers Alan Jenkins, Susan Buck, and Debby Greenlaw present. Sheriff Lee Foster, serving since 1989, spoke on his department's vital roles in law enforcement, court protection, school resource officers, detention, and dispatch. We promoted our fundraisers and encouraged attendance at local meetings like county council (September 17 at 6:00 PM, work session at 5:00 PM) and school board (September 22 at 7:00 PM). Chairman Jenkins shared Romans 13:4, emphasizing the sheriff's role as God's servant for justice. Gary Crain closed in prayer.

· Ladies Lunch Success: Our inaugural event on August 28 at the Antique Mall in Little Mountain drew 8 ladies, including guests from Pomaria interested in joining the GOP. It's a great fellowship opportunity—join us monthly on the 4th Thursday at 11:00 AM. RSVP to Susan Buck at 803-920-5429 so she can confirm seating. Gentlemen, are you interested in a Men's Lunch? Let us know!

Financial Update

Treasurer Debby Greenlaw reports a balance of $6,075.34 as of September 2. This reflects careful stewardship, with funds supporting our events, communications, and outreach. Membership dues are $35 for individuals and $50 for couples—renew or join via our website or see Debby at one of our meetings to help us grow. Proceeds from our fundraisers will bolster these efforts.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

Mark your calendars for a powerhouse schedule designed to rally conservatives and drive wins in 2026:

· September 18 3rd Thursday GOP Meeting (Thursday, 7:00 PM, Prosperity Civic Center): This is the must-attend event of the month! Join us for an inspiring evening with guest speaker Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, who's running for South Carolina Attorney General. With over a decade as solicitor since his 2012 election, Stumbo has a proven track record of tough-on-crime leadership, raising more than $67,000 in a 24-hour period after releasing his nomination papers in July. As a former assistant attorney general under current AG Alan Wilson, he's committed to fighting crime daily, advocating for victims, law enforcement, and principled leadership. Don't miss this chance to hear directly from a dedicated conservative fighter!

· Ladies Lunch (September 25, 11:00 AM, Little Mountain Café): Continue the conversation and build connections—bring a friend!

· 2A Fundraiser – Support Your Rights! We're raffling a SAR9 SOCOM full-size, threaded-barrel pistol to champion Second Amendment freedoms. Tickets are just $20, with only 125 available—selling fast through October 16! Buy online at www.newberrygop.com/tickets or at Wilson Tractor (See Steve), or upcoming events like Oktoberfest. If you know a business to display a poster, contact Chairman Jenkins. All proceeds fuel our mission—get yours today and stand with us for gun rights!

· Newberry Oktoberfest (October 4, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Downtown Newberry): Our tent (in front of Pour Richards Tavern) will be a hub of patriotism with the theme "Honor Our Veterans." We'll have giveaways like pocket constitutions, pens, newsletters, etc. We will also have our  Trump cutout for photos, and patriotic music. Veterans, wear your gear and join us! Sell 2A raffle tickets, promote the golf tournament, and sign up new members. We need 4-6 volunteers per 2-3 hour shift—text Susan Buck at 803-920-5429 to help. Wear Newberry GOP t-shirts or red, white, and blue! Setup at 8:30 AM; meet at Steve's at 7:30 for gear. Note: No morning meeting in October.

· Golf Tournament (November 17, Mid Carolina Country Club): Our flagship fundraiser needs you! We're seeking more teams, sponsors, and volunteers—letters are going out to local businesses, and political candidates are invited. Sign up at meetings or contact Chad Connelly, Alan Jenkins, Marlene, or Tammy. Help make this a hole-in-one for conservative causes!

· Future Speakers: October 16 - Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette; November 20 - SC250's Molly Fortune & SCDOGE’s Wesley Donahue.

· Christmas Parades (December 6, 7, 13) and Party (December 18): Susan Buck and Travis Grimsley are leading—volunteers needed for floats, outreach, dinner, patriotic photos, and silent auction. Start collecting donations from businesses now!

On the local front, many property owners have received reassessment notices mailed August 21—not tax bills, but part of the state's required five-year process (extended one year in 2023). Increases are capped at 15% in most cases, with exceptions for improvements, and a "rollback" millage rate aims to avoid overall tax hikes. If you plan on appealing you must do so within 90 days, contact the Assessor's Office at 1512 Martin Street, Newberry, or 803-321-2125/email AssessorsOffice@newberrycounty.gov  by November 22. We're monitoring this to ensure fair treatment for taxpayers.

Calls to Action

· Attend local meetings—school board, county council, city councils—to advocate for conservative priorities.

· Share this newsletter, our website (www.newberrygop.com) (www.newberrygop.com), and Facebook posts to grow our reach.

· Volunteer for Oktoberfest, the golf tournament, or parades—email me or any officer.

· Buy 2A raffle tickets and recruit sponsors/teams for golf—let's fund our fight for freedom!

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Republican principles in Newberry County. Together, we're poised for big victories ahead.

 

Respectfully,

Alan Jenkins

Chairman, Newberry County GOP

 

Our team

1st Vice Chair Susan Buck                 sbuck4420@gmail.com 

2nd Vice Chair Travis Grimsley         travis@grimsleyironworks.com 

County EC Chad Connelly                 chad@chadconnelly.com 

Treasurer Debby Greenlaw                 debbygreenlaw@gmail.com 

Media Specialist Tammy Johns          tjdancestation@aol.com 

Lead Advisor Steve Wilson                 wswilson4008@gmail.com 

Lead Advisor James Wimmer             jew308@yahoo.com 

  • Aug 19
  • 3 min read

Newberry County GOP Chairman's Report—August 2025

 Dear Newberry County Republicans,

As we move through the summer and prepare for a busy fall season, I'm proud to report on the continued momentum and engagement within our local GOP. Our commitment to conservative principles—faith, family, and freedom—remains strong, and our events and initiatives are fostering greater community involvement. Below is a summary of recent activities, financial updates, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.

Recent Highlights

  • July General Meeting (July 17, 2025): We held a successful meeting at the Prosperity Civic Center with 34 attendees, including our executive board. State Representative Joe White led us in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Our guest speaker, Solicitor David Pascoe, shared insights on his potential 2026 candidacy for South Carolina Attorney General. Special thanks to our 2nd Vice Chairman Travis Grimsley for leading a highly successful BBQ fundraiser, where we sold around 200 lbs.—double last year's amount!

  • Officers Meeting (August 7, 2025): Our officers and precinct representatives gathered to plan ahead. We discussed website and social media enhancements, with a new program now complete for better member communication. Encourage everyone to share our content on Facebook. We also reviewed plans for community outreach and fundraising. Kelley Marsh closed us in prayer.

  • Community Engagement: Lead Advisor Steve Wilson connected with Dr. Lambries at Newberry College, inviting him and his students to our August meeting. This is a great step toward engaging younger conservatives. Additionally, our BBQ fundraiser was a testament to our volunteers' hard work—thank you to all who contributed.

Financial Update

Our Treasurer, Debby Greenlaw, reported a balance of $6,108.17 as of August 7, following $6,973.04 in July. Funds are being allocated toward upcoming events, including prizes for our golf tournament (golf bags purchased for $1,626.40) and other initiatives. Membership dues remain $35 for individuals and $50 for couples—please renew or join via Debby if you haven't already.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

We're excited about a packed schedule to promote our values and build support for conservative candidates:

  • August 21 GOP Meeting (Thursday, 7:00 PM, Prosperity Civic Center): Join us for US Representative Ralph Norman as our speaker. This is a key opportunity to hear from one of our strong conservative voices in Congress.

  • Ladies Lunch (August 28, 11:00 AM, Antique Mall in Little Mountain): Led by 1st Vice Chair Susan Buck, this monthly gathering is for fellowship—guests welcome! RSVP to Susan at 803-920-5429.

  • Saturday Morning Round Table (September 6, 9:00 AM, Mid Carolina Country Club): Speaker is Sheriff Lee Foster—come and engage on public safety!

  • Gun Drawing Fundraiser: Tickets ($20) go on sale August 21 and run through October 16. We a raffling off a SAR9 SOCOM Full-size pistol—proceeds support our mission.

  • Newberry Oktoberfest (October 4, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Downtown Newberry): We'll have a tent across from animal rescue. Theme: "Honor Our Veterans." Volunteers needed (4-6 per shift) for giveaways, photos with a Trump cutout, and selling gun drawing tickets. Contact Susan Buck to help.

  • Golf Tournament (November 17, Mid Carolina Country Club): Our major fundraiser—need volunteers. Flyers in progress; sponsorship letters going out. Political candidates invited.

  • Christmas Parades (December 5, 6, 13): Susan Buck leading—volunteers needed for floats and outreach.

  • Christmas Party (December 18): Dinner, patriotic photo ops, and silent auction. Start collecting donations from local businesses now!

  • Future Speakers: September 18 - David Stumbo; October 16 - Pamela Evette; November 20 - SC250's Molly Fortune & SC DOGE’s Wesley Donahue.

We're also monitoring state-level issues to keep our members informed. Recent polls from the South Carolina Policy Council show strong support for limiting government spending (68% favor a population-plus-inflation cap) and dissatisfaction with K-12 education (47% dissatisfied). On the Freedom Index, our local representatives score well: Ralph Norman at 87 and Nancy Mace at 74, both are contenders for Governor. Additionally, there's ongoing discussion around protecting women's sports and parental rights, as highlighted by the South Carolina Freedom Caucus. We encourage attendance at school board (July 21) and county council (August 6) meetings to voice conservative priorities.

 Calls to Action

  • Share our newsletter and social media posts—visit www.newberrygop.com for the latest.

  • Volunteer for Oktoberfest, golf tournament, or parades—email me or any officer to sign up.

  • Stay informed on state ethics matters, like investigations into AG Alan Wilson, and support strong conservative leadership.

Thank you for your dedication to making Newberry County a stronghold for Republican values. Let's keep building toward victories in 2026 and beyond.

Feel free to reach me with questions or ideas.

 

Respectfully,

Alan Jenkins

Chairman, Newberry County GOP

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