In our opinion: It's time

Believe it or not, it’s election season. If the first Tuesday in November seems a long way from the wintry days of January, it’s only because we’re still reflecting on the results of the 2024 election. That’s when voters chose politicians in Washington who, in only one year’s time, have inflicted terrible damage on the American dream.

But it’s not too late to save America from sliding away from its basic principles. And it’s not too early to begin our recovery now, capitalizing on the Democratic victories of last November and leveraging the growth, initiatives and enthusiasm we created with our 2024 rallies and protests.

It’s a time akin to 1942, when Winston Churchill characterized the significance of the British victory over the Germans in Africa. “This is not the end,” he said. “It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Donald Trump won’t appear on the November ballot. But David Rouzer, one of his chief abettors in Congress will, as will our three representatives to the North Carolina General Assembly, two members of the Brunswick County School Board, and two county commissioners. Not one of these elected officials – Republicans all – deserves to be re-elected.

That’s why our 2026 campaign is so important. The Brunswick County Democratic Party has been hard at work for months, recruiting Democratic candidates whose 2026 campaigns will be remarkable for their openness, candor, and vision. The party has also been significantly increasing membership and volunteer numbers; collaborating with allied groups; earning quarterly “Contest Every Race” grant monies through required political actions; fine-tuning messaging for the midterms; supporting community hero non-profit and advocacy organizations; and raising funds in support of get-out-the-vote efforts and local candidates.

In the coming months, you’ll be hearing a lot from our intrepid 2026 contenders. They’ll outline their positions on issues important to voters. They’ll be on the hustings, introducing themselves at meet-and-greets, festivals, town halls and any other venue they can find.

Of course, they want you to know how they feel about important issues. But issues aside, their most critical mission will be to listen to how voters feel, to understand their needs, views, and ideas on how to create a better Brunswick County, state, and nation.

Our incumbent representatives have different goals in mind. Their hands will be extended, not in service to voters, but to grab checks from powerful special interests. Following the example of our U.S. Congressman, David Rouzer, they will avoid at all costs opportunities to hear constituents’ views. And they will avoid like the plague enacting solutions to problems that a clear majority of residents in Brunswick County support.

Today, Brunswick County is at a crossroads. The rate of its uncontrolled growth is unsustainable, and our public schools are overcrowded and underfunded; all made worse because our government and the people elected to run it can’t — or won’t — keep up. We need new officials who understand that the future of Brunswick County demands strong, forward-looking leadership rather than holdovers from a bygone era.

So, let’s begin campaigning now for the midterm elections in November; it’s time to fly our banners high and wide. It’s time to get to work. The end is beginning.