More than 70 delegates, alternates, and guests gathered Thursday evening at the Cornelia Community House for a Republican candidate forum hosted by the 9th District Republican Party. The event spotlighted individuals vying for leadership roles in the Georgia Republican Party ahead of the upcoming State Convention in June.
The forum provided an opportunity for attendees to meet the candidates and hear their visions for the future of the Georgia GOP. Each candidate spoke about their plans to strengthen the party and prepare for the pivotal 2026 election cycle, which includes races for Georgia governor and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jon Ossoff.
State party leadership elections are held every two years, in odd-numbered years, during the State Republican Convention. Those elected to leadership roles will help shape party strategy and may endorse candidates following the 2026 primary.
Seven executive party seats are up for election this year. The following candidates attended Thursday’s forum and shared their platforms:
- Chairman: David Cross, Josh McKoon
- 1st Vice Chair: Salleigh Grubbs, Alice O’Lenick, Lisa Pierce
- 2nd Vice Chair: Brad Barnes, Norine Cantor, Betsy Kramer, Seanie Zappendorf
- Treasurer: Jeff DellaMaggiora
- Secretary: Cindiella Nixon, Suzi Voyles
- Assistant Secretary: Ja’Quon Stembridge
Some candidates were unable to attend the Cornelia forum, but all will be listed at the Georgia Republican Party State Convention in Dalton this June.
The forum served as a platform for delegates to hear directly from candidates before casting their votes, shaping the direction of the state party ahead of the next major election cycle.
