Friends,
We have a full slate of updates for you this week, ranging from upcoming virtual conversations with national leaders to our brand-new podcast launch and our weekly constitutional news audit.
Here is what’s happening across the Principles First community:
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** Virtual Event: Conversation with Former Gov. Pat McCrory & Andrew Dunn
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Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Online / Virtual
Join Principles First this Thursday evening for a candid virtual conversation with former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and author/journalist Andrew Dunn to discuss Dunn’s new book, The Change Agent: Pat McCrory's Unfiltered Journey Through North Carolina Politics.
Moderated by Principles First Executive Director Brittany Martinez, this talk will trace Governor McCrory's decades in public life—from Charlotte City Hall to the Governor’s Mansion—exploring key political moments, hard-learned lessons, and the constitutional principles that shaped his tenure. The presentation will conclude with a live Q&A session with attendees.
RSVP FOR THE BOOK LAUNCH ([link removed])
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** In Case You Missed It: Principally Speaking - The Podcast (Episode 1)
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In case you missed it over the weekend, we officially dropped the debut episode of our brand-new podcast! Hosted by Executive Director Brittany Martinez and Director of Communications Josh Gillespie, Principally Speaking - The Podcast offers an informal, deep-dive companion to our weekly news updates.
In Episode 1: A New Podcast & The Cracks in the Wall, Brittany and Josh discuss:
* The mission behind Principles First and our growing footprint of 29 state chapters.
* Congressional oversight surrounding escalating conflict in Iran.
* Emerging fractures within the Senate GOP and recent election integrity developments.
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ([link removed])
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** Fuel the Movement
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This movement doesn’t belong to a boardroom—it belongs to you. We are a neighbor-to-neighbor coalition built from the ground up, fueled by everyday people ready to turn bold ideas into action.
By chipping in today, you provide the literal fuel our community needs to organize events and prove that a principled, grassroots coalition is the strongest force in politics.
MAKE A GRASSROOTS DONATION TODAY ([link removed])
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** The Weekend News Audit
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True, small-r republican governance requires active legislative checks on executive war powers, respected federalism, and equal access to the ballot. When executive authority overreaches or voter access becomes needlessly burdened, constitutional guardrails must hold.
Here is our audit of the major issues on Capitol Hill and across the states this week:
* Executive War Powers & the FY2027 NDAA
* Dual Voter Registration & State Administration
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ([link removed])
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** Upcoming Virtual Event: Congress at a Crossroads
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Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Online / Virtual
Congress is the branch of government closest to the people, yet it remains one of the least trusted institutions in American civic life. Between persistent gridlock and systemic dysfunction, how do we rebuild a legislative branch that works for the people?
Join us for Congress at a Crossroads, a panel discussion moderated by legal analyst Rory Riley Topping. Our panel of constitutional and policy experts includes:
* Gregg Nunziata — Executive Director, Society for the Rule of Law
* Christianna Golden — Policy Strategist & Constitutional Defense Advocate, Issue One
* Jeff Mayhugh — President, The No Cap Fund
Together, they will discuss structural reform, legislative accountability, and practical steps to restore functional representation in Washington.
REGISTER FOR THE CONGRESS AT A CROSSROADS VIRTUAL EVENT ([link removed])
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** Virtual Event: A Conversation with Neil Ghosh
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Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Online / Virtual
Join us for an inspiring virtual conversation with social impact strategist and author Neil Ghosh to discuss his book, Do More Good: Inspiring Lessons from Extraordinary People. Drawing on insights from thirty global changemakers—from the Dalai Lama to José Andrés—Ghosh explores how character, decency, empathy, and courage serve as the bedrock for meaningful leadership.
During the event, Ghosh will also share his framework for The Ripple Effect—a movement grounded in the idea that small, deliberate actions multiplied across everyday citizens can drive profound systemic change. Moderated by Principles First Director of Communications Josh Gillespie, this session offers a compelling call to action to lead courageously, act locally, and embrace the active work of citizenship. The discussion will end with an interactive Q&A session for live participants.
REGISTER FOR THE NEIL GHOSH VIRTUAL EVENT ([link removed])
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Whether you’re tuning into our debut podcast, joining our upcoming virtual events, or tracking constitutional guardrails with us, thank you for being a part of this community. Restoring sanity, civic responsibility, and constitutional norms to our politics takes steady work, and we can’t do it without you. Check out the links above to register, subscribe, and stay involved.
Stay rational and stay principled,
-The Principles First Team
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