U.S. Senate hopefuls press conservative messaging at Rockingham County forum

Michelle Murrow, Thomas Johnson and Don Brown presented sharply conservative platforms and urged turnout at a Rockingham County forum convened by the Rocco Grassroots. Murrow framed the contest as part of a broader fight to restore what she called "America first" values and said she is the candidate best placed to beat Democratic leadership in Raleigh and DC. "We have got to turn us back red," Murrow said in her opening remarks.

Thomas Johnson, who described a background that includes military service and federal intelligence work, portrayed himself as an "overcomer" who would carry that resilience to the Senate. "I will be your voice. I will be your champion," Johnson said during his opening statement. Don Brown, a former prosecutor, focused on fiscal issues and what he called the "ticking time bomb" of national debt, calling for radical reforms including eliminating the IRS and greater federal transparency.

The candidates answered a roster of questions from moderator Craig Travis. On abortion, all three declared a pro-life position and urged legal protections for the unborn. "Life begins at conception," Johnson said. On term limits, Johnson and Brown called for constitutional remedies; Murrow said stronger election practices would naturally limit incumbency. Candidates offered differing proposals for transparency and campaign finance: Johnson proposed blockchain-tracked records of lobbyist transactions; Brown called for nonprofits to open financial books and for auditing of federal institutions; Murrow emphasized curbing big-money influence and reducing lobbyists' sway.

Immigration drew forceful rhetoric. Brown used the term "Sharia immigration" and urged an end to what he described as an incoming flow of incompatible legal norms; Johnson and Murrow advocated stricter border enforcement and measures to curb illegal entries, with Murrow suggesting a temporary moratorium on immigration to allow system fixes. On mental health, Johnson shared a personal loss to underline urgency: he said his 29-year-old son died by suicide and described mental-health policy as a lived priority.

The forum closed with candidates repeating calls for local turnout and emphasizing the link between the Senate race and down-ballot contests. Each candidate urged supporters to engage in the coming midterm and to translate forum arguments into votes.

The account above is drawn directly from candidate statements and the forum Q&A as recorded at the event.