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Prior to the election of November 5, 2024, it became obvious that there were forces, apparently led by Robin Wierzbicki, Chairwoman of the Polk County Republican Party, who were determined to undermine the candidacy of Jennifer Hargett. This was occurring despite the fact that Jennifer Hargett had won her primary and was one of the endorsed Republican candidates for County Commissioner and despite the requirement that Republican Party officers must support Republican candidates. Despite removing Jennifer Hargett’s name from the Republican Party voter guide on election day, Hargett handily won a seat as a County Commissioner.

On November 14, at the first general membership meeting following the election win, several members attempted to question Robin Wierzbicki about the removal of Hargett’s name from the voter guide. She adamantly refused to answer the question, add the issue to the agenda, or make other arrangements to address members’ concerns. Robin Wierzbicki then called the Columbus Police and, on their arrival, had them clear the headquarters building. All of the members left the building peacefully.

A few days later, nine of the members present on the 14th received trespass notices barring them from entering the headquarters building or participating in Polk County Republican events. On February 6th, I (Gene Comiskey, Finance Chairman and member of the executive committee), attempted to attend an executive committee meeting. My purpose was to present to the committee a list of charges against Robin Wierzbicki and ask the committee to initiate removal proceedings against her. Robin Wierzbicki called the Columbus Police and had me arrested for trespass. I spent a couple of hours in the Polk County detention center and on March 5, I was convicted of trespass and sentenced to 1 day in jail, suspended for 3 months. I have appealed this judgment.

Unknown to many in the Republican Party is the terrible condition of the party finances. I believe that much of the motivation behind Robin Wierzbicki’s actions is her attempt to keep the membership in the dark. I have filed multiple allegations of violations of campaign finance laws with the North Carolina Board of Elections, which oversees campaign finance reporting. Robin Wierzbicki has been acting illegally as the Treasurer in violation of Republican Party rules, Federal and State campaign finance law. Mandatory reports have been consistently late and, as a result, the party is liable for forfeitures totaling over $3000.

On Saturday, March 15, at 9 a.m., the doors of headquarters were opened for the precinct meetings, which preceded the annual convention meeting that afternoon. Ten Republican Party members (my wife received a trespass notice one week ago) were barred from attending the convention of their party. This is an outrageous violation of our rights to speak, to peacefully assemble and to participate in the operation of our own political party. We can only hope that enough Republicans were able to attend the convention and end Robin Wierzbicki’s tyrannical reign.

 

Gene Comiskey

Tryon