Statement From Adam O'Neal Regarding Washington's Big 5 Candidates Video | Eastern NC Now

The following statement from Adam O’Neal was provided to the Beaufort Observer on October 3rd and is shared here with his permission.

Statement from Adam O’Neal

October 3, 2025

In politics some people think that a good liar makes a good politician. Normal people are sick of lying politicians and the games they play. The video released concerning “Exposing” me is dirty politics based on pure lies. I will provide facts that you may not know.

First, the video claiming to be the action of the Beaufort County Republican Executive Committee is not. The Executive Committee did not authorize the funding or production of the video. I am friends with a majority of the Members of the Executive Committee, and they would never produce such a defamatory false piece of propaganda. The culprits are mostly likely Republican Chairman Carolyn Garris and Greg Dority. This is their latest political hit job after attempting to destroy School Board Member Stacey Davis.

Secondly, I represent the Beaufort County Conservative Group and Citizens for Better Government in efforts to help Washington City Council Candidates get elected. The Candidates we support were voted on at the Beaufort County Conservative Group’s monthly meeting on September 18th. I was asked by the Committees to lead the campaign efforts for the selected candidates. Selected candidates are Andrew “Tex” Melton, Sheri Clark, Max Perreault, Joe Davis Jr. and Nick Fritz. The Clubs asked me to help because of my experience in municipal elections in Belhaven. I am not some lone individual looking to throw a wrench in the success of Conservative Candidates like the video alleges. The producers of the video know I am not a lone individual working on the Washington City Council race. The Chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party, Carolyn Garris, and Greg Dority, the campaign manager for the Big 5, were in the room at the Conservative Club’s meeting on the 18th. The Clubs were trying to work with the County Party in good faith and are supporting 4 of their candidates. Garris and Dority witnessed how our candidates were selected and how I was appointed to lead the efforts of the Clubs. They personally know that their claim that I am a rogue individual trying to sabotage anything is a total fabricated lie by them.

Thirdly, the video says that I am posing as the face of the Republican Party concerning the Washington City Council races, another complete and total lie made up by Garris and Dority. I have never made a statement to anyone, anywhere that I represent the Republican Party on anything. Furthermore, the Washington City Council race is nonpartisan. There are no Republicans or Democrats identified on the ballots. Nonpartisan, by definition, means no Party designations for candidates.

Lastly, four of the Beaufort County Conservative Club’s candidates are in the Big 5. Why would Carolyn Garris and Greg Dority want to attack an organization or person that is supporting 4 of their 5 Candidates? The Club is supporting Joe Davis, Jr., over the Big 5’s Wylie Woolard because the Club determined Joe was a better candidate. If Wylie Woolard wins a seat on the Council, the Club would support him and be happy for him. The goal should be to support the Candidates who give the best chance of electing a majority to the Council. The Club even invited Greg Dority to the first Candidate Meeting. Myself, Carolyn Garris or Greg Dority should be completely irrelevant to the voters of the City of Washington. It would be a good idea to promote the candidates with the unauthorized money being spent to defame me.

Important Side Note:

Who paid for the elaborate video production to defame me? It seemed to be a video produced by the Beaufort County Republican Party. The Executive Committee did not vote to fund or support the video. Also, who is paying for the radio ads for the Big 5? It seems very likely that the folks who say they represent the Beaufort County Republican Executive Committee are spending money not authorized by the Committee. The November Beaufort County Republican Executive Committee Meeting should be very interesting.