Marshall County Republicans Host Candidate Forum, Work to Restore Purple Heart County Designation

The Marshall County Republican Committee will host a candidate forum on March 9 and the Republican Women's group is working to reestablish the county's Purple Heart designation.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Marshall County Republican Committee will host a candidate forum on Monday, March 9, giving voters a chance to hear from those seeking the party's nomination in the May 19 primary election. The event will feature candidates for several contested races, including Coroner, Commissioner, Jailer, and Sheriff. Unopposed primary candidates have also been invited. Meanwhile, the Marshall County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, and highlight their effort to reestablish Marshall County as a Purple Heart County, a designation honoring communities committed to recognizing recipients of the nation's oldest military decoration.

Why it matters

Local elections are important because these offices have the most direct impact on an individual's life. The candidate forum provides an opportunity for voters to hear directly from the candidates and make informed decisions. The effort to restore Marshall County's Purple Heart County designation is a way to honor the community's commitment to recognizing and supporting military veterans.

The details

The candidate forum will feature candidates for several contested races, including Coroner (Megan O'Bryan and Kenny Pratt), Commissioner of the First District (Eddie McGuire and J.D. Morehead), Commissioner of the Second District (Marty Barrett and Danny Cope), Jailer (Patti Burton, Brian Cannon, Barry Howell, and Robert Johnson), and Sheriff (Matt Hilbrecht and Doug Jordan). Unopposed primary candidates have also been invited, including Monti Collins (Commissioner, Third District), Chrissy Greer (County Court Clerk), and Kevin Spraggs (Judge/Executive). Each candidate will receive five minutes to speak, followed by written questions submitted by the audience.

  • The candidate forum will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • The Marshall County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Dwayne Stice

Chair of the Marshall County Republican Committee.

Bill Fletcher

A 24-year Army veteran and former State Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Jerry Thompson

A Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran and former State Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Dawn O'Neill

Vice President of the Marshall County Republican Women.

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What they’re saying

“The public appreciated hearing from each person what they hoped to accomplish in office.”

— Dwayne Stice, Chair of the Marshall County Republican Committee (marshallcountydaily.com)

“Local elections are very important because these offices have the most effect on an individual's life.”

— Dwayne Stice, Chair of the Marshall County Republican Committee (marshallcountydaily.com)

What’s next

The six Purple Heart County signs are expected to be placed along major roads and highways throughout Marshall County in the near future, officially restoring the designation.

The takeaway

The candidate forum and the effort to restore Marshall County's Purple Heart County designation demonstrate the local Republican Party's commitment to engaging with the community and honoring the sacrifices of military veterans. These initiatives provide voters with valuable information and opportunities to support their local leaders and recognize the contributions of those who have served their country.