NEWS

2026 is here and we’re eager to start working on new projects while continuing our 2025 efforts.  We have some exciting news to share with you this month as we continue to grow our membership and work towards a better future for the people of Johnston County. 

When I started Indivisible Johnston County in 2016, I never imagined how essential it would become nearly a decade later, or how strong it would grow.   This past fall, I made the decision to step away from leadership and proudly pass the torch to Mary and Brian Blank. Their energy, integrity, and vision have already carried the group forward in powerful new ways, strengthening both our mission and our community.  Leading this group has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life, and I step back with deep gratitude and full confidence as they carry the flame into 2026 and beyond.

Steve Acosta

On January 1, our Facebook page will no longer be a private group!

Why are we making this change? We want to increase our visibility and connect with more members of our community in Johnston County and beyond.  This step will help us grow and strengthen our mission.

What does this mean for you?

• Privacy of Existing Posts: All your current posts will remain visible only to existing members.

• Public Access to New Posts: From January 1st, new posts will be visible to the public.  Anyone can view them, but only members can contribute by posting.

• Membership Requirements for Posting: To post after we go public, all current members will need to answer new questions and complete a membership form.  You’ll be prompted to do this the first time you post.

• Content Moderation: All posts will be monitored and approved by our leadership team to ensure our social media reflects Indivisible’s values - protecting our democratic republic.

Our Commitment: We strive to keep our communications civil, peaceful, and polite.  This is the best way to ensure our message is heard and respected.

In December, we partnered with fellow JoCo service organizations to support our residents and prepare for the upcoming U.S. House of Representatives primary contest in March.

One of our key events was joining the Peoples Free Market on December 20, hosted by Down Home NC, where we focused on spreading holiday cheer. Together, we collected blankets and small gift items for those in need and set up a wrapping station so recipients could have their gifts beautifully wrapped. Every blanket and gift found a home, and our volunteers wrapped many presents throughout the afternoon. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who donated and helped wrap—your generosity made the day truly special and memorable.

Also in December, we brought together leaders from local service organizations for a Sunday afternoon forum with primary candidate Paul Barringer. This gathering provided an open space for leaders to ask questions, discuss their group’s priorities, and engage directly with Paul.

Building on this successful event, we’re hosting a similar forum in January with the other primary candidate, Frank Pierce. Our goal is to ensure that organization leaders have the opportunity to hear from both candidates, ask meaningful questions, and share insights with their members. We believe these conversations will help everyone make informed decisions ahead of Primary Day on March 3.

To learn more about the candidates, visit their websites: http://paulbarringer.com and http://frankpierce4congress.com

After the primary, either Frank Pierce or Paul Barringer will be challenging the incumbent, Brad Knott.

Brad Knott was elected promising to fight for rural communities, protect family values, and bring results back home.  But after reviewing his record, many rural voters are beginning to ask a fair question: is he focused on us — or on headlines in Washington?

A look at his speeches and voting record shows a pattern. Nearly all of his attention has been on national culture battles and immigration crackdowns. While those issues matter to many voters, they don’t address the day-to-day realities facing families in rural North Carolina: the rising cost of farming, shrinking access to healthcare, deteriorating roads, and a shortage of workers.

Despite serving on key infrastructure committees, Knott hasn’t championed bills that fund rural broadband, protect local farms, lower energy prices, or support small-town hospitals.  There’s also no record of major district-specific funding or projects secured during his term.

Meanwhile, he has voted against bipartisan measures supporting veterans’ services and rural needs — including the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act, a bill aimed at improving healthcare for veterans in underserved communities.

Another concern: immigration enforcement is his signature issue, yet he offers no plan for the workers farmers depend on. If his policies make labor more scarce or more expensive, that could mean higher food prices and more strain on family farms — the backbone of our region.

None of these mean rural voters should oppose him automatically — but it does mean we should pay attention.  Representation is not just about speeches or slogans. It’s about bringing home results.  So far, Brad Knott has invested more time making national political statements than delivering for the communities he represents.

Rural North Carolina deserves leaders who focus on our schools, our farms, our infrastructure, and our future — not just the issues trending on cable news.

Our work on the Registration Repair Project will continue into January, and we’re seeing steady progress.  So far, we’ve achieved a 10% success rate: out of 642 letters sent, 62 individuals have been removed from the rolls.

We invite you to join our ongoing Thursday afternoon meetups, held from 1–3 PM at the Smithfield Library.  Your participation can make a real difference! Please sign up here for the 8th and here for the 15th and bring your friends!

We understand that requests for donations are everywhere. Indivisible JoCo depends entirely on the generosity of supporters.  Our main focus in 2026 will be the Congressional race in District 13, while continuing our efforts to serve the people of Johnston County.  The registration repair project alone requires $1,760 in postage, plus additional costs for stationery, so we may not be able to complete it without more support.  We’ll continue our work as long as donated postage lasts.

The third No Kings event is already in the planning stage, which will need funding we haven’t yet secured. In addition, we’ll support the Democratic candidate selected in March and remain active in Indivisible National’s initiatives.  Your help is vital as we strive to protect democracy and uphold the rule of law for the people of Johnston County.

We wish you a happy and healthy 2026!