Clinton County Republicans used their 2026 Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday night to roll out a more assertive primary endorsement strategy and to urge local Republicans to “get out of their comfort zones” in media and politics ahead of a high‑stakes election year.
Party to Resume Primary Endorsements
Clinton County Commissioner and Republican Party Chairman Jordan Brewer told the packed crowd at Arborwood by Shoup’s that the Clinton County Central Committee will again endorse in primary races, including attaching money and coordinated outreach to chosen candidates.
“As we go into this upcoming primary, we’re going to have a committee, they’re going to interview the contested candidates, and they’re going to make the recommendations,” Brewer said. “It’ll be on the Central Committee … who’s going to get the support going into the primary.”
Brewer said endorsed candidates will receive direct financial help and inclusion in a countywide mailer listing both unopposed and endorsed Republicans that will go to registered GOP voters. He emphasized that the system will be tested this year and again in next year’s municipal elections, then evaluated.
“Maybe it’s not the way of the future, but I think we can’t be afraid of changing things at times and seeing if it works,” he said, adding that the goal is to make it “an honor to receive the endorsement” and to show voters the strength of the party brand.
Building Momentum and Seeking Volunteers
Brewer framed the evening as a continuation of momentum that began with last year’s dinner, citing changes in how the local GOP organizes and communicates. He highlighted moving the party’s “call‑out” meeting from September to June, reformatting the party booth at the county fair, adding outreach at the Hot Dog Festival and holding a summer precinct committee meeting.
“On their own, they’re kind of minor, but I think collectively it was a lot of change,” he said. “As we go forward, we just want to continue to build on those things and continue to improve as we’re heading into this primary season and this general election that’s coming up in November.”
Brewer asked rank‑and‑file Republicans to pair suggestions with action. “Don’t bring [an idea] to us and not want to help, right? It’s a two‑way street,” he said. “With that comes a responsibility that you’re just not someone who provides an opinion, but you give a little bit of volunteerism to help see these changes through.”
He also warned against assuming one‑party dominance will last forever. “Right now, there’s not much of a Democratic presence, I think we all acknowledge that,” Brewer said. “But that doesn’t mean that’s the way of the future… We have to continue to build this so that we are well represented going forward.”
Michael Jordan Quote Sets ‘Standard’ Theme
Brewer closed his update with a story drawn from ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, quoting the NBA star’s line that “winning has a price” and “leadership has a price.”
Jordan’s quote read by Brewer from “The Last Dance”—
“Winning has a price. And leadership has a price. So I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled. I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged. And I earned that right because my teammates came after me. They didn’t endure all the things that I endured. Once you join the team, you live at a certain standard that I played the game, and I wasn’t going to take anything less.”
“We have to have a standard and not let that slip for the people around us,” Brewer said. “To bring them to the standard that the party has, that we have individually, rather than letting them set the standard.”
He predicted “2026 is going to be an exciting year for the GOP here locally” and said he looks forward to “listening to your ideas of how we can continue to improve for the future” as the primary and general election approach.
Republican Women Host, Introduce Keynote, Pete Seat
The event was organized by the Clinton County Republican Women’s Club, which leaders said handles much of the behind‑the‑scenes work for the annual dinner.
Club President Krista Stillwell welcomed attendees as “a group full of vibrant and proud Republicans” and called it “a really exciting time to be a Republican.” She then introduced keynote speaker Pete Seat, an Indiana‑based communications strategist and nationally known political commentator who has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Newsmax, ABC and international outlets.
Stillwell said she first heard Seat speak during the Richard G. Lugar excellence in public service series and was struck by his passion for public relations and political communication. “When I was thinking through what we wanted to do for a speaker this year… I thought he’d be a really great choice,” she told the audience.
National Perspective, Local Challenge
Seat opened with stories from his time in the George W. Bush White House, including a lighthearted account of his immigrant mother accidentally kissing President Bush on the lips in the Oval Office and a behind‑the‑scenes moment when staff briefly cut off then‑President‑elect Barack Obama during an Oval Office photo opportunity.
From there, he turned to the media landscape and urged Clinton County Republicans not to retreat from unfriendly outlets or audiences. Seat, who frequently appears from his Indiana home studio on national television, said he continues to go on CNN and other networks for three reasons:
– “Because I strongly believe that your voices, our voices, should be heard… coast to coast and around the world.”
– Because “the audience that least wants to hear what I have to say… is the audience that needs to hear it the most.”
– Because he believes Republicans must “play away games,” going where their presence is “unexpected, if not unwanted.”
“Safe spaces are for liberals,” Seat said, drawing laughs and applause. “They are not for Republicans or for conservatives. Wherever two or more liberals are gathered, there should be at least one Republican there.”
He cautioned that Republicans often lose not because Democrats out‑organize them, but because of “infighting,” “complacency” and too much time in ideological echo chambers.
“When we lose… we lose because we eat ourselves,” Seat said. “Competition is healthy. I’m all for competition. It raises the bar and strengthens the team. But we cannot be held, and we should not be held, to unachievable standards.”
The primary election is in 54 days, on Tuesday, May 5th.