A dinner and several speeches by local Republican figures was followed by a brief talk from keynote speaker Lieutenant N.C. Governor Dan Forest.

Outside of playing an audio recording of Ronald Reagan’s popular and humorous commentaries and his photo on the cover of the program, there was little reference to Reagan during the evening, but in Republican gatherings much reference to the political icon is hardly needed.

Forest told the audience that, despite losing two key races in North Carolina, Republicans should see themselves as winners.

He also predicted that, in four years, he would be governor.

Forest outlined a plan to do “virtual press conferences,” following President Trump’s lead “to get the message out to the people we want to get it, so you can know what’s going on in Raleigh.”