Laurens County Republican Party to Host Candidate Forum May 21
May 13, 2026
The Laurens County Republican Party will host a candidate forum on Thursday, May 21, at the Laurens County Museum, 116 South Public Square in Laurens. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., with the event beginning promptly at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
The forum comes ahead of the June 9 Republican primary and will feature candidates for Laurens County Council and House District 14.
County Chair Valerie Stewart Jones said the event mirrors the party’s previous gubernatorial candidate forums in giving voters a direct opportunity to engage with those seeking office.
“Like all of the gubernatorial candidate events that we have hosted, this will give the opportunity for voters to meet the candidates and make important decisions about who they will choose to support in the upcoming Republican primary,” Jones said.
Invited candidates include:
Laurens County Council
- District 1: Nancy Garrison (unopposed)
- District 4: Jimmy Poole, Libby Pinson and Lonnie Wilson
- District 5: Darryl Halbert (unopposed)
House District 14
- Rep. Luke Rankin (incumbent)
- Rick Shealy
Candidates will have the opportunity to share their vision for Laurens County and respond to questions. Voters of Laurens County are encouraged to attend.
