Daily Update - March 25, 2026

Showing Up In November?

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Republicans just took two avoidable losses in Florida special elections, and it’s a warning shot for November. In this Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Reuel Sample breaks down what these flips mean for President Trump’s agenda, the fight for control of Congress, and why conservative voters cannot afford to sit out “low stakes” races anymore. From Raleigh to New Hanover County and the Board of Education, he lays out what’s at risk if Republicans stay home or splinter their vote instead of uniting behind GOP candidates.

If Republican voters are taking a breather from these current and seemingly endless special elections, they better show up to vote in November where it will really count.

This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Wednesday March 25 2026

In yesterday’s special elections in Florida, two Democrats flipped seats in districts that had been solidly held by Republicans. Brian Nathan won in Florida District 7 by the skin of his teeth. Emily Gregory flipped Palm Beach – President Trump’s home district – by close to 3% of the vote. Both districts went overwhelmingly to President Trump in 2024.

None of these losses for Republicans really matter in Florida, as the winner of both of these elections will have to run again in November. Neither is the Republican majority in the Florida legislature in jeopardy. The Free State of Florida will indeed remain free.

Republicans need to get their heads back in the game, however, if we are to win elections that have longer lasting impact. Republicans historically do not show up for off year elections – as evidenced by the humiliating defeat here in Wilmington. But that has to change, as this coming November we have much more at stake.

Republicans need to decide if we want to allow a Democrat takeover of the US House of Representatives – who will immediately impeach the President and possibly the Vice-President. We have to decide if we like having a Republican majority in the Senate – or want to concede that chamber as well to a Democrat party who has no compunctions about pushing through their liberal agenda – including packing the US Supreme Court.

In North Carolina, will Republicans continue to guide our state in prosperous directions, or will we return to the tax and spend policies of 20 years ago. Here in New Hanover, will we keep a conservative majority on the County Commission to counteract the insanity of the Wilmington Democrats. And will we send four Republicans to the Board of Education to continue to guard against the harmful and predatory policies of the Left.

When Conservatives and Republicans show up and vote Republican – not Libertarian, not third party – but Republican then Republican things get done. When we don’t show up – or we split our votes because a candidate does not pass every conservative purity test – then Democrats win – and our country, state, and locality go down the tubes.

So – going to show up in November?

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.