President Donald Trump has endorsed NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons to remain in his position through the 2026 election, in a Truth Social post.
“Chairman Jason Simmons is doing a tremendous job leading the North Carolina Republican Party,” said Trump. “Jason has been with us from the very beginning, and has been key to our many Republican Victories in the Tar Heel State, including my historic wins in 2016, 2020, and 2024! Jason will continue to work closely with me to ensure North Carolina is successful in 2026 and beyond. Jason Simmons has my complete and total endorsement for Re-Election-HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
2024 was the only year Trump surpassed 50% of the vote, winning by 183,000 votes. His margin was 173,000 in 2016 and 75,000 in 2020, according to data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE).
Historically speaking, Democrats vote early, and Republicans vote on Election Day, but the tide has recently been turning in North Carolina. In the 2024 election, 1.42 million Republicans voted early, according to the John Locke Foundation’s Vote Tracker. In the 2020 general election, only 1.25 million Republicans voted early. In 2016, fewer than 1 million Republicans voted early.
North Carolina has seen increased numbers in early voting in recent years in general too, with more than 4 million ballots cast during early voting in 2024. Jim Blaine, a political analyst and former chief of staff for Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, has credited Simmons, alongside RNC Chairman Michael Whatley and Matt Judge, executive director of the NCGOP, for the increased early voting.
“I’m thankful for President Trump’s unwavering leadership, support, and steadfast commitment to our nation and North Carolina,” Simmons told the Carolina Journal. “I look forward to keep working alongside him and his administration, making our party the dominant political party and solidifying us as a solid red state.”