Today's Republicans; The Continuing and True Conservative

Published: Monday, February 23rd, 2026 @ 10:44 am

Updated: Monday, February 23rd, 2026 @ 12:05 pm

By: Dave Hudson

 

In political discourse and governmental action: Isn't it really about always striving to do what is Right?

    The Republican party has transformed in a number of ways over the past 20 years. Although it remains majority conservative, white and Christian, there have been significant shifts in the demographic makeup of the party based on race and education. Republicans were once defined as high-income, college-educated voters but the changes in demographics, in addition to stances related to the party's platform, show Republicans to be more multiracial, populist and working-class.

    The party saw a 48% increase in Hispanic voters in 2024 while also seeing a double digit shift in Asian Americans and a 15-point shift in the African American vote since 2016. Rural areas have also increased in representation among party voters with rural areas having a 25-point lead now compared to a near 50/50 split in 2008.

    Remaining the party of conservatives has also been a mark of the Republican party. While the South was historically home to conservative Democrats or "Blue Dogs", these voters have largely moved to the Republican party over the last 20 years. This is also the case based on the shift in education, with the rural South now being overwhelmingly Republican as voters without a college degree have left the Democrat party. The stark contrast between parties can be seen even more so based on geography. Urban centers such as Charlotte and the research triangle have trended Democratic while rural areas have become more Republican than ever. Conservative social and religious issues, which receive strong support among Evangelical Christians, have solidified the ranks of the party and continue to do so when evaluating the Republican Party Platform.

    While the party still champions social and fiscal conservatism, some elements have shifted which account for the rise in popularity of the party. The new platform is more protectionist and nationalist in its agenda than in prior years. This is seen in a platform that rejects globalization and free trade in favor of policies and tariffs that raise revenue and protect domestic industry. An "America First" stance has seen the party shift toward more isolationism and unilateralism regarding world affairs. Social issues or the "culture war" have remained very conservative when looking at gender rights, parental rights, school issues and more. However, in a major reversal, the party now opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare and prioritizes other assistance efforts traditionally opposed by the party.

    Beaufort County has not been far removed from changes occurring within the Republican Party at the national level. The party has gained members over the past 20 years and is now the majority party in the county having voted nearly 65% MAGA Republican in the 2024 election. Many of the same demographic and social shifts have manifested for many of the same reasons as the national level. However, there is a divide within the current Beaufort County Republican Party as conservative Republicans have been replaced in a number of instances by liberal Republicans or former Democrats who masquerade as conservative Republicans in order to win elections and share power. They govern as liberals or Democrats. This can be observed by looking at the voting records of many County Commissioners and School Board members.

    Over the past twenty years we have seen this shift. Conservative Republicans have championed the rural areas, education, fiscal responsibility and oversight. They have fought and voted to keep community schools, such as Snowden, and healthcare institutions, like the Belhaven Hospital, open. They have voted against new taxes and raising taxes consistently. They have argued in favor of lowering the tax rate even further based on the 2025 reevaluation, lowering Washington city taxes and more. They have asked for increased oversight into fraud and wasteful spending for the sake of transparency and to be good stewards of their constituents, the local taxpayer. However, these efforts have been hampered and oftentimes defeated due to the nominal Republicans who vote against conservative Republican values. It is important to understand this and research candidates before voting. Knowing if a candidate's record and values are in line with your own is the only way to ensure you get a government that truly represents you. This should always be kept front of mind when voting.

    Stan Deatherage has been a proven voice for conservative Republican values as a County Commissioner in Beaufort County. He has stated:

• "Beaufort County's government is your local government; it is your local self-governed component of what makes our Constitutional Republic one of great potential power. It has always been this gleaming thread of optimism that sustains me as a local politician; that we, the People, can democratically elect the good citizen, the wise known neighbor to make smart decisions for us; to lead our local governing powers-to-be into the beaming light of the better administered society, and thus represent US; with the best wisdom attainable, and implemented to sustain the continuance of our Good People; our self-governed community.
• Beaufort County's government is a body politic of the North Carolina General Assembly, and, as such, is a microcosm of our allegiance to our United States of America; this viable and continual cog in the governmental machinery that makes this Republic great, and even greater, as we all pull together, as a better People, to select our best representatives to govern US to the betterment of all.
• I have always strived to be that good citizen, that wise politician, that better governing force to act in accordance with our Founders' wishes and dictates to keep government limited; your freedoms preserved, and ultimately to keep, and further make our local community the best place possible to live and thrive."

    This year is an election year. Your vote matters. Beaufort County needs strong conservative leadership and experience.