Pender County Commissioner Recommendation Update
Monday, August 31, 2026 - We have received an update form the North Carolina Republican Party on the challenge of the PC GOP Executive Committee Vote/Meeting which took place on August 20th.
On Friday, August 28th, a complaint was issued to examine the Pender County GOP Plan of Organization in regards to who was eligible to vote in the August 20th Executive Committee meeting. This meeting was held to determine a recommendation to fill the vacant seat of County Commissioner representing District 1.
Current Board of Education member, Beth Burns won the recommendation with a 15-14 vote over Shayne Frey. Shayne Frey is the Republican Candidate who will appear on your November General Election ballot.
In short, the North Carolina Republican Party ruled in favor of withholding the Executive Committee vote, citing that the State Plan of Organization was put into effect after the Pender County Republican Party's 2026 Convention. North Carolina GOP County Party's have up to December 31st to revise any provisions of the County's Plan of Organization that are inconsistent with the State Plan. Therefore, the August 20th Executive Committee Meeting was governed under the State Plan of Organization. The NCGOP Plan of Organization does not require recusals of an Executive Committee Member in any matter before their respective committee.
The NCGOP has submitted their response to this challenge to the attorneys who filled the complaint.
The swearing-in of Beth Burns has been added to the September 8th Board of Commissioners agenda. We expect Mrs. Burns to be sworn-in at this meeting.
Following the swearing-in of Burns to the Board of Commissioners, Burns resignation to the Pender County Board of Education will become effective.
After Burns effective resignation, the PC GOP will schedule an Executive Committee Meeting to vote on a recommendation to fill this vacancy with the Board of Education. The Pender County GOP has 30-days from the effective resignation date to submit a recommendation to the Board of Education to serve the balance of Mrs. Burns term, which runs through the November 2026 General Election.
Jason Jordan is the Republican Candidate that will be on your November General Election ballot for Board of Education Member, representing district 2.
The Pender County GOP has requested the official complaint from the NCGOP and will share this when available.
Please respond with any questions to [email protected]