With chants of two more years blasting through the Dalton Convention Center, Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon sailed to victory in his bid for a second term. But the race was over before the voting began Saturday afternoon when McKoon showed a video of President Donald Trump praising McKoon for his work in the 2024 election, and giving him a sweeping, full endorsement.
That could have been a mic drop moment, but McKoon came on stage and talked about the GOP gains last year under his watch. “When a team wins the Super Bowl, you don’t fire the coach. You give him a contract extension. And that’s what I am asking for today – a contract extension for two more years.”
“My opponent spent the last two years attacking other Republicans,” McKoon added. “If we spend the next two years attacking other Republicans, we are going to lose.”
A few minutes later, McKoon had a 27 percent victory over challenger David Cross – reportedly the largest recorded margin of victory for an incumbent in the last 30 years. McKoon earned 1062 votes to Cross’ 604.
Several candidates in the race for other positions on the GA GOP leadership ladder spewed negative remarks and personal attacks in their campaign speeches, but the delegates were not impressed. At least two of the candidates for office were booed off the stage.
“I am tired of the negative comments and personal attacks,” said one delegate. “How can we expect to win the critical 2026 elections when we can’t stop attacking each other. That’s not how Republicans act, and that’s not how we win elections in 2026.”
Salleigh Grubbs was elected 1st vice chair by a 13.2 percent margin, and Seanie Zappendorf was elected 2nd vice chair by an 11.69 percent margin.
Suzi Voyles was elected secretary by an impressive 27.96 percent margin, and Ja’Quon Stembridge – who wowed the crowd with his speech – took an amazing 55.34 percent of the vote for assistant secretary. Stembridge is an 18-year old African American activist who earned a number of endorsements including former Congressman Jody Hice.
Laurie McLain was re-elected as treasurer, and Jenny Eckman was reelected as assistant treasurer.
