PRESS RELEASE: Democrats Lose Lead in Registered Voters for First Time in Robeson County History

PRESS RELEASE: Robeson County Republican Party

CONTACT: Cutler Bryant, Communications Director  |  [email protected]

DEMOCRATS LOSE LEAD IN REGISTERED VOTERS FOR FIRST TIME IN ROBESON COUNTY HISTORY

This development reflects the Republican Party’s rapid momentum in Robeson County over recent years 

LUMBERTON, N.C. — For the first time in history, Democrats no longer make up a plurality of registered voters in Robeson County. Unaffiliated voters have now surpassed Democrats, marking a historic shift in a county long considered a Democratic stronghold, according to newly released data from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

This milestone comes on the heels of Republicans surpassing Democrats in registered voters statewide. These developments highlight growing voter dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party that has fueled the Republican Party’s success in Robeson County in recent years.

"As unaffiliated voters have now surpassed Democrats in Robeson County, it reflects a significant shift in our local politics. This shift coincides with Republicans now outnumbering Democrats statewide,” said Dr. Phillip Stephens, Chair of the Robeson County Republican Party. “These aren’t coincidental: it shows that voters are seeking common sense leadership that they aren't finding in the Democratic party."

“It's exciting to see Republicans and Unaffiliated voters continue to make huge gains in Robeson,” John Steward, Chair of the 8th District Republican Party, said. “Voters in Robeson County and across the state are realizing that the national Democrat Party continues to promote a radical leftist agenda that they can no longer support, and are switching to Republican or unaffiliated to better reflect their values.”

In 2006, Democrats accounted for 79% of registered voters in Robeson County. In the twenty years since, Democratic registration has steadily declined, while Republican and unaffiliated registrations have risen consistently. Since 2006, Democratic registration has declined 39%, while unaffiliated and Republican registration has risen 29% and 10%, respectively, according to data from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

This historic shift follows a highly successful year for Republicans in Robeson County. In 2025, the Robeson County Republican Party successfully hosted its fourth annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, three Robeson County Commissioners switched their party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, giving Republicans a first-ever majority on the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, and Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed the Lumbee Fairness Act into law, delivering on a campaign promise made to Robeson County voters and delivering a landmark victory for the Lumbee people and the county as a whole.

As we begin the year with a historic milestone, the Robeson County Republican Party remains committed to advancing conservative causes and achieving even more historic milestones in 2026.

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