Clay County GOP to Host Republican Candidate Debates in Hayesville

Clay County GOP

Press Release

The Clay County GOP will host two candidate debates for the Republican Candidates for the

Primary Elections for local offices in January.

The GOP County Commissioner Primary Candidates will debate on January 22, 2026, at 6:00

PM, in the Beal Center in Hayesville.

Also, on January 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM, in the Beal Center in Hayesville, the Clay County GOP will

host a debate forum featuring the two declared GOP Primary Candidates for Clay County

Sheriff: Mark Buchanan and Joe Shook, followed by a debate for the GOP Primary School

Board Candidates.

Both events will be held on consecutive Thursday evenings, January 22 nd and January 29 th ,

respectively, at 6:00PM, in the "Beal Center" (in the restored Courtroom upstairs) at the

Historic Clay County Courthouse on the Square in downtown Hayesville, NC. Physical address of

the meeting location is 25 Herbert Street, Hayesville, NC 28904.

In light of the two debates being held by the Clay County GOP, the regular monthly meeting

scheduled for Thursday, January 15 th , will NOT be held.

The debate forums are open to all Republicans, unaffiliated voters, and GOP 2026 Primary

Candidates.

There will be light refreshments, snacks, and desserts served at 6:00 PM (attendees are

encouraged to bring a covered dish, snack, or dessert to share) with the debates starting at 6:30

PM. Other GOP Primary Candidates in attendance will be allowed an opportunity to speak

briefly immediately following the debates.

The debates will be moderated by Larry J. Ford, Vice-Chair/General Counsel of the Clay County

Republican Party. The questions presented to the candidates by the Moderator will be a mix of

questions prepared prior to the debates, supplemented by questions contributed by the

audience members.

For more information about this Press Release, contact Clay County GOP Chair June West at

(706) 781-8610 or Vice-Chair Larry J. Ford at (828) 421-5721