RALEIGH — Scotland County was well represented on Saturday when the North Carolina Republican Party held its Hall of Fame induction night at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills.
Mark Schenck, the long-time chairman of the county’s Republican Party, was inducted into the state’s GOP Hall of Fame.
“Mark has an illustrious background with the Scotland County Republican Party,” said Joseph Plitt, the current county GOP chairman. “He has served multiple terms as chairman of the county party (and) under his leadership, the Scotland County Republican Party has had an increase in registered Republican voters.
“He always strives to share the conservative viewpoint through written commentary or public speaking,” he added. “Mark’s writing is in The Laurinburg Exchange and he has developed a blog.”
Schenck said he was “very surprised” with his selection.
“I thought sure Neva Helms would win,” he said this week. “I told her later that I would have voted for her. Anyhow, I am more comfortable giving praises than receiving them.”
But Schenck’s induction into the state’s Republican Party Hall of Fame goes beyond his personal achievements.
“All members of the Scotland GOP are the true winners,” he said. “Figuratively speaking, we have gone from having meetings in a phone booth to owning our own headquarters free and clear.
“Although we have lost many of our dear friends — Billy Owens, Sylvia Whitmore and Rick Clancy to name just a few — we have added many new members and are always eager to welcome anyone new,” Schenck added.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-506-3023 or [email protected].