Daily Update - March 24 2026

Investigating a Black Woman Equals Racism

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About Reuel Sample

According to the New Hanover County branch of the NAACP, even questioning the ability of a black woman is tantamount to racism.

This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Tuesday March 24 2026.

Port City Daily and WHQR yesterday reported the relationship between the New Hanover County Board or Elections, New Hanover County itself, and BOE Director DeNay Harris has been on shaky grounds for weeks – with accusations from all sides. This dysfunctional relationship in our elections board culminated in Ms. Harris being suspended last Thursday and put on paid administrative leave.

Because this was a personnel matter, last night the Board of Elections met in closed session to discuss Ms. Harris’s concerns – among them an accusation that her email was being tampered with by an unknown party. After conducting an initial technical review, no email incursions seem to have occurred, but a full report is still on the way. As the Nick Craig Show reported, the Board of Elections voted last night to keep Ms. Harris on suspension while these investigations continue.

Enter the NHC NAACP, who released a statement yesterday claiming the allegations by Ms. Harris:

...reveal a troubling pattern of behavior that raises serious concerns about systemic racism, sexism and abuse of authority within a key public institution.

In other words, ignore the documented concerns that the county and elections board have about Ms. Harris. Ignore the fact that there are things the public does not know at this point of time because it is an ongoing personnel investigation. Pay no mind to the reality that Ms. Harris is still getting a pay check while the investigation is taking place as is required by law. And finally, the reality that the BOE chose a black woman in the first place over two white men is of no importance. According to the NHC NAACP, since Ms. Harris is black and a woman, doggone it this must be about race and sex – and not about – for example – competence.

Perhaps when it comes to racism, the NHC NAACP should first look in the mirror.

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample. Thanks for listening.

Reuel Sample is the Editor-in-Chief of The Wilmington Standard. A graduate of Grove City College and Princeton Theological Seminary, he has served as both a Presbyterian Pastor and a Navy Chaplain. He is the product of a classical liberal arts education combined with real world experience in politics and business and conservative Christian worldview firmly rooted in the Reformed tradition. He is the host of several podcasts including the NHC GOP Podcast, the Pastor's Voice, and co-hosts the Nikki and Reuel Podcast Experience. An avid sailor, he has sailed around the world as a youth and to the Azores as a teen as well as extensive trips up and down the east coast of the United States. He is honored to be married to his wife Pam and makes his home in Wilmington, NC.