PRESS RELEASE: RightCount Expands North Carolina Leadership Advisory Council to Strengthen Trust in Elections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2026

Raleigh, NC – RightCount North Carolina today announced the expansion of its North Carolina Leadership Advisory Council, growing the group of respected civic leaders working to promote election integrity, educate the public, and strengthen trust in the state’s election processes ahead of the forthcoming midterm elections. The expanded council includes former public servants, local officials, law enforcement leaders, veterans, and business and community leaders who will serve as trusted messengers on the safeguards in place to ensure elections are secure, transparent, and reflect the will of North Carolina voters.

 Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory will continue working closely with the council to engage communities and reinforce confidence in North Carolina’s election system.

“North Carolina’s election system is one of the most reliable and resilient in the nation, but public confidence in the system cannot be taken for granted,” McCrory said. “RightCount is committed to educating voters on the security measures North Carolina has implemented to ensure every ballot cast is a ballot counted. As the midterm elections approach, I look forward to working with the Leadership Advisory Council to further strengthen voter confidence in our election system.”

Donnie Harrison, retired Wake County Sheriff and member of the Leadership Advisory Council, emphasized the importance of trusted local voices during high-turnout election cycles. “When people have confidence in election outcomes and trust that the rule of law is being followed, it strengthens our communities and protects public safety,” Harrison said. “RightCount’s preparation and public education work are vital to ensuring election officials can carry out their sworn duties and that citizens can trust both the process and the outcome.”

The expanded RightCount North Carolina Leadership Advisory Council now includes:

• Wayne Boyles, former staff member to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and the U.S. Department of Energy during the George W. Bush Administration
• Alan Cloninger, Retired Gaston County Sheriff
• Donnie Harrison, Retired Sheriff of Wake County
• Vivian Jones, former Mayor of Wake Forest
• Madeline Keeter, Senior Director at The Rainey Center
• H.R. “Bud” Long, retired Master Trooper, North Carolina Highway Patrol
• Robert Maloney, former Supervising Fire Marshal and firefighter
• Edwin Peacock, former Charlotte City Councilman
• Matthew Ridenhour, Marine veteran and former Mecklenburg County Commissioner
• Sandy Roberson, Mayor of Rocky Mount; Entrepreneur
• Nat Robertson, Chairman, Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce; former Mayor of Fayetteville
• Nick Tennyson, former N.C. Secretary of Transportation, former Mayor of Durham
• Glen Webb, Pinehurst Police Chief
• Grant Whitney, former Chairman, North Carolina State Board of Elections

In addition to recruiting and organizing trusted community leaders, RightCount will mobilize local voices to support election officials in carrying out their sworn duties, including election certification, while continuing to educate voters on reforms that build trust in elections ahead of the midterm cycle.

About RightCount North Carolina

RightCount is a 501(c)(3) organization that conducts research and educates citizens on election integrity issues. To learn more about RightCount’s work in North Carolina and the steps it is taking to protect confidence in elections, visit https://www.rightcount.org/states/north-carolina/.

Press Contact: Patrick Sebastian, patrick@tarheeltargeting.com

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