Thirty-Thousand to DC, But Republicans Stay Home: Wilmington’s Junket and the Real Problem - July 6, 2026

Give Us Your FeedbackWilmington just spent more than thirty thousand taxpayer dollars sending nearly the entire city council to Washington, DC for a “conference” — including four and five star hotels and a private car for the day. We walk through what WECT uncovered, how much this junket really cost per person, and why the mayor’s “optics” excuse misses the point. Then we zoom out to the bigger problem: only about a quarter of registered voters bothered to show up last time, leaving Democrats free to raise taxes and grow government while most Republicans stayed home. With just 17 weeks to go before the 2026 general election, we talk about what happens if conservatives sit it out again — and why Wilmington will be the least of our worries.What you’ll learn / Key moments00:01 – Wilmington’s 30,000 dollar DC “conference” and who went on the trip.00:27 – The real price tag: registrations, travel, luxury hotels, and a leased private car on your dime.01:10 – Why meeting DC lawmakers who already have local offices makes no fiscal sense.01:26 – How a 20 percent tax hike and a trip with no real policy impact reveal the city’s priorities.02:01 – The bigger issue: low turnout, Republicans staying home, and what that means for 2026.What you can doIf we are tired of junkets, higher taxes, and one‑party rule, then staying home is no longer an option. Get registered, learn who is on your ballot, and make a plan now to vote in November — even if the choices are not perfect. Talk with friends, neighbors, and your church or civic groups about what is happening in Wilmington and why local races matter as much as the presidential race. When informed conservatives show up consistently, city hall feels it, and officials think twice before spending thirty thousand of our dollars on a trip that does nothing for working families here at home.Support the show