IFN Staff
The Iredell Republican Patriot Men on Thursday announced that it had endorsed three candidates for this fall’s Statesville municipal election.
The group is backing Brian Summers for mayor, Trey Robertson for councilman at-large, and John Staford for the Ward 5 seat.
“We must change the trajectory of Statesville. The current decisions on annexation, housing, and infrastructure are unsustainable and put our future at risk,” Iredell Republican Patriot Men’s President President Michael Moorefield said in a news release. “It’s time to elect leaders who will stand firm on conservative principles—prioritizing responsible growth, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring a stronger, more sustainable Statesville.”
Summers is one of five candidates running for mayor. He was defeated by long-time Mayor Costi Kutteh in the 2022 mayoral race. During that campaign, a former head of the Iredell County GOP and the president of the Statesville Branch NAACP both said they had determined that Summers had previously turned Black voters away from the polls. Summers also created a stir in March 2024 when he referred to combat-wounded veteran and Purple Heart Homes founder John Gallina — who was running for an N.C. House seat at the time — as “Taliban Johnny” in a social media post in which he inferred Mayor Kutteh was a Muslim extremist.
This is Robertson’s first run for public office in Iredell County. He is one seven candidates running for two at-large seats.
Staford, who is one of four candidates in the Ward 5 race, previously served as the Ward 5 representative on the City Council. He lost his bid for re-election in 2022 to Joe Hudson by less than 100 votes in 2022. Hudson decided not to seek another term.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Early voting begins October 16 and runs through November 1.
Tells me all I need to know about the “Patriot” men’s group. The fact that they endorsed Brian Summers is proof positive they are idiots.
Thanks! Now I know who NOT to vote for.
BRIAN SUMMERS is a DC SWAMP RAT
Endorsement by a group calling themselves Republican Patriot Men is all I need! I will for sure vote for their opponent.
Brian Summers isn’t qualified to be the mayor of Whoville.
Does Brian Summers even live in Statesville? By the looks of facebook he’s in DC or New York most of the time. Maybe his bosses are up there.
Seriously, John Staford? His time in office left much to be desired, and I don’t believe he’s in a position to change the direction of Statesville. He lost his previous bid because Ward 5 voters recognized that his decisions seemed to benefit himself more than the community. And who exactly are the Republican Patriot Men?
Republican patriot men – another clown show
What kind of United States “Patriot” would support a candidate who called a United States combat-wounded veteran the derogatory name of the enemy that the veteran was by sent this country to fight “Taliban Johnny?” Really? As a combat veteran, I take great offense to Brian Summers’ words. I also take offense to his implying that Mayor Costi Kutteh was a “Muslim Extremist.” Costi Kutteh and John Gallina are two true patriots to be proud of, men that we want our sons and daughters to emulate. I had an uncle killed by the Japanese in WWII. Would Brian Summers dare call my uncle, John W. Benbow from Greensboro, “Japanese John?” Would Brian Summers dare call my UNC fraternity brother, Ted Edwards from Charlotte, who was a U.S. Marine killed in Vietnam “Viet Cong Ted?” Or my two Sunday School classmates at First Presbyterian Church in Statesville (which happens to be Costi Kutteh’s church as well as my church), Murray Mosely and Ardrey Barringer, both killed in Vietnam, “Viet Cong Murray” or “Viet Cong Ardrey?” Or two members of my 3rd platoon, in my infantry company, who were killed in the Korean DMZ, Michael Rymarczuk from Philadelphia and Pvt Kwan from South Korea, “North Korean Michael” or “North Korean Kwan?” And two signalmen, Mike Reynolds and Joseph Cahyer, who were killed while stringing wire to our Korean DMZ Guard Post Gladys, “North Korean Joseph” or “North Korean Mike?”
A patriot is defined as: “A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” Think about who are the real patriots as you drive by a red campaign sign in a yard that states “Summers for Mayor.”
Amen, David. I am not a combat veteran but I am a Vietnam era veteran. I thank you for your dedicated service. I take it personally when someone disparages ANY of our servicemen and women. Did Mr. Summers serve? I doubt it since he badmouthed one of our own. No brother does that to another brother. I won’t be voting for such a loser.
^^^^Where’s the thumbs up when you need ’em?
I am a Republican and I don’t know where this group got its information to make this decision, but I can tell you I served on City Council with John Staford and I will only use one word TOXIC. Have fact-checked Brian Summers and can tell you his claims are full of holes.