CLAYTON – With 200 people in attendance Saturday, February 22, long time Johnston County Register of Deeds Craig Olive was awarded the Ronald Wilson Reagan Legacy Award from the Johnston County Republican Party at the JCGOP’s 31st Annual Reagan Day Dinner at the Farm @42. The award was presented by the Honorable Judge Joy Jones of Angier.
Mr. Olive joins a small number of Johnston County Republicans that have received this prestigious honor for their important contributions to Johnston County and the Johnston County Republican Party. The award is given annually to the person that has best represented the conservative principles and ideals of the Republican Party in their work and life.
“Craig embodies the spirit of the Johnston County Republican Party and no one is more deserving of this year’s honor,” said Johnston County Republican Party Chairman Marshall Conrad. “His commitment and service to our County and Party are unwavering. All Johnstonians owe a debt of gratitude for Craig’s service to our County. Craig lives out President Reagan’s conservative principals and ideals in his work on a daily basis.”
Olive has a long history of serving Johnston County and the Republican Party. He is currently serving his sixth term as Johnston County Register of Deeds, where he received the County’s highest number of votes in his last election.
Under Olive’s leadership, the Office has received numerous awards and become a model for public record keeping in North Carolina. In addition to his work as Register of Deeds, Olive has served as past Vice Chair and Treasurer of the County Party, Chairman of the NC Young Republicans and on numerous local, state and federal campaigns. In 1994, he was awarded the Johnston County Republican of Year, in 1997 received the NCGOP James Broyhill Award for his grassroots work on behalf of the Republican Party and was inducted into the NCGOP Hall of Fame in 2023.
Olive has served Johnston County in various roles including the Johnston Community College Board of Trustees, President of the Selma Parks and Recreation Board, Board of Director for the Clayton Chamber, and the Johnston County Tourism Authority.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Ronald Wilson Reagan Legacy Award.” said Mr. Olive. “President Reagan’s unwavering commitment to freedom, leadership, and his priority of helping people has been a guiding force throughout my life and career. I am privileged to serve the citizens of the County that I love and grew up in and I will continue to serve and live by the principles and ideals of President Reagan.”
Olive volunteers his time with various non-profit boards and organizations, including the Walk for Alzheimer’s, the Cancer Association Relay for Life, the Special Olympics and many other organizations.
During the awards ceremony, the Republican Party also awarded several other awards including a Posthumous Ronald Wilson Reagan Legacy Award to the late Commissioner Tony Braswell for his lifetime of service and contributions to the Johnston County Republican Party.
Daivd “Glenn” Johnson of Smithfield was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for his dedication and many hours of service to the Party during the 2024 Election.
Peggy Craig of Clayton was awarded the “Unsung Hero” Award for her contributions to the Party behind the scenes during the 2024 Election cycle.
Congratulations everyone! We are so thankful for your contributions to the citizens of this county.