New NCGOP Chairman Talks Elections, Unification, And HB2

The North Carolina Republican Party has seen a lot of controversy this year, especially in the upper ranks. But after a successful state convention in Greensboro earlier this month, the party's new chairman says the NCGOP is unifying ahead of what's likely to be a heated general election campaign.

Having steered the party once before, Robin Hayes is once again at the helm. Hayes recently spoke to WFDD about the chaotic presidential race, what it will take for the party to come together, and his take on the controversy around House Bill 2.

Interview Highlights

On working toward party unity after an unpredictable primary season:

“We're much further along, I think, than people might expect, or really think. There's a lot of unity built within the party, and I see that time and time again by the countless thousands of folks who work so quietly but energetically behind the scenes. And it's done at the local level.”

On the biggest obstacles to unifying conservatives around likely GOP presidential nominee, Donald Trump:

“This has been a very unusual election process with some 17 candidates on the national level. Now we're down to a presumptive nominee. There was a lot of competition. Consequently, that developed a number of different followings that become consolidated going forward. I simply would say, if there are people who are not altogether happy with our presumptive nominee, they need to consider…now, it's the general election, and our target is stopping the Obama administration, replacing that regime with a conservative Republican candidate, who at this point will be Donald Trump...”

On House Bill 2 and the Obama administration's reaction to it:

“Well, the federal government just, absolutely, has way overreached. But we should not be here. We are. I think the governor, president pro tem of the senate, speaker of the house, and elected officials – including in Charlotte – are working hard to solve this problem. Where we are now, it hurts Republicans, it hurts Democrats. It should not be. It is something we need to deal with. I support the governor and his position.”