By Drew Aker
Contributing Opinion Writer
If the North Carolina Republican Party wants to succeed in 2024 and beyond, it must learn to stand its ground. Recently, I tweeted that the @NCGOP “needs to grow some balls and not cower when the @NCDemParty viciously attacks one of their candidates.” And I mean it. Watching the party “tuck its tail and run” each time our opponents launch an aggressive campaign or try to paint our candidates as out of touch is not only frustrating—it’s a losing strategy.
The NC GOP needs to embrace a different approach, one that has been central to our best moments: courage. When our candidates face challenges, instead of distancing themselves, the party should rally with energy, support, and assertiveness. Running away when things get tough is not how you win elections; it’s how you lose them.
Take the issue of conservative values. Our candidates hold views and principles that matter deeply to many North Carolinians. If those values come under attack, we should defend them, not back away in an attempt to avoid controversy. When Republicans champion issues like fiscal responsibility, personal freedom, and accountability, we connect with voters. But when the party appears more interested in avoiding confrontation than standing up for its candidates, we appear weak and disconnected.
Political survival isn’t about appeasement; it’s about conviction. Look no further than our recent elections nationwide. When the GOP showed up and fought with purpose, people responded. When we stood our ground on issues like parental rights, local economic development, and support for law enforcement, we energized voters. But when we failed to defend our own, we lost critical ground.
Every election brings challenges. We’re going to face attacks, smears, and attempts to derail our message. But the solution isn’t to avoid them. It’s to face them head-on. If we show the people of North Carolina that we believe in our values and our candidates, they will respect us for it. This doesn’t mean resorting to petty responses or mirroring the tactics of our opposition; it means showing up with a commitment to our principles and our people.
The NC GOP has an opportunity here to reset its strategy, one that resonates with both the party’s base and undecided voters. North Carolina deserves leaders who are willing to stand up, speak out, and, yes, show some backbone. If the NC GOP is willing to do that, it can thrive. If it continues to retreat, it may be a long road ahead.
