The National Rifle Association holds an annual election for their board of directors. 25 directors–who serve three years each–are selected by voting members. The 2025 BOD election results were just released, as reported by the “American Rifleman.”
Previously reported–Part One and Part Two–there are two different slates or camps eyeing or occupying spots on the board.
One group self-describes as NRA 2.0, colloquially referred to as “reform candidates,” or “reformers.” The other, an “old guard” of several incumbents and newcomers alike, call themselves Strong NRA. NRA 2.0 accuses Strong NRA of being a so-called “Cabal.”
In the wake of turmoil caused by former CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and a lawsuit filed against the Association by New York Attorney General Letitia James, already skeptical members started to get more vocal. This led to an organized cadre of four reformer candidates getting elected to the BOD in 2024. For 2025, NRA 2.0 had 28 candidates.
What were the results of the election? Who came out on top? Were there any disappointments?
According to the “American Rifleman,” these are the election results:
ELECTED FOR THREE-YEAR TERMS ENDING IN 2028
1. Mitzy McCorvey NRA 2.0
2. Jack Hagan NRA 2.0
3. Howard L. Massingill Jr. NRA 2.0
4. Willes K. Lee NRA 2.0
5. Sharon Callan Strong NRA
6. Sandra S. Froman Strong NRA
7. James Fotis NRA 2.0
8. Cathy Wright NRA 2.0
9. Bob Barr Strong NRA
10. Larry E. Craig Strong NRA
11. Theresa Inacker NRA 2.0
12. Carol Frampton Strong NRA
13. Todd Ellis NRA 2.0
14. Jason Wilson NRA 2.0
15. Jonathan S. Goldstein NRA 2.0
16. Dwight D. Van Horn Strong NRA
17. Al Hammond NRA 2.0
18. Blaine Wade Strong NRA
19. John Richardson NRA 2.0
20. James A. Sheckels NRA 2.0
21. Philip Gray NRA 2.0
22. Knox Williams NRA 2.0
23. Anthony P. Colandro NRA 2.0
24. Lawrence Finder Strong NRA
25. Robert Scott Emslie NRA 2.0
ELECTED FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING IN 2027
26. Joel Friedman Strong NRA
ELECTED FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM ENDING IN 2026
27. Richard Fairburn NRA 2.0
28. James W. Porter II NRA 2.0
29. Danny Stowers Strong NRA
NOT ELECTED — ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR 76TH DIRECTOR
30. John C. Sigler* Strong NRA
31. Gene T. Roach
32. Frank Tait NRA 2.0
33. Charles T. Hiltunen III NRA 2.0
34. Regis Synan NRA 2.0
35. Todd Vandermyde NRA 2.0
36. Tom King Strong NRA
37. Jeffrey Fleetham Strong NRA
38. Ronald L. Schmeits Strong NRA
39. David Mitten NRA 2.0
40. Richard Todd Figard NRA 2.0
41. Kim Rhode
42. James L. Wallace NRA 2.0
43. Charles Rowe Strong NRA
44. Lucretia Hughes Klucken
45. Isaac Demarest Strong NRA
46. Steven Dulan
47. Lane Ruhland
48. Greer Johnson
49. Mark Shuell
(*At Mr. Sigler’s request, his name will not be included on the 76th Director ballot.)
Of the 16 Strong NRA candidates, 10 won. Of the 28 NRA 2.0 candidates, 19 won. That leaves 6 Strong NRA and 9 NRA 2.0–including two write-in’s not listed–candidates who did not make the cut.
Including the NRA 2.0 write-in candidates–Paul Babaz and Charles Brown–there were 51 viable candidates running for 29 spots. Strong NRA took 34 percent of the seats while NRA 2.0 took 66 percent.
68 percent of the NRA 2.0 candidates who ran took a seat. 63 percent of the Strong NRA candidates who ran took a seat.
Incumbent NRA 2.0 Directors Jim Wallace and Charles T. Hiltunen were not reelected.
Incumbent Strong NRA Directors Tom King, Ronald L. Schmeits, Isaac Demarest, and John C. Sigler weren’t reelected as well.
Unaffiliated incumbent Director Kim Rhode wasn’t reelected.
No unaffiliated candidates were elected or reelected to the board.
Board Member and NRA President Bob Barr had an optimistic view after the election. Barr, a former member of Congress, is the ad hoc leader of Strong NRA.
“The recent NRA election, in which one-third of our Board of Directors was elected–each of us serves three-year staggered terms–produced a group of veterans and newcomers, but all joined by a dedication to our country, our Constitution, and especially to protecting the God-given right to keep and bear arms that is guaranteed us in the Second Amendment as against infringement,” Barr said in a statement. “I look forward to working with each of them in furtherance of this laudable goal; a task which never is without its detractors and opponents.”
NRA Board Member Rocky Marshall was one of the four reform candidates elected in 2024. Marshall has been a strong supporter and leader of the NRA 2.0 movement. He made the following observation, “Of the 19 [NRA 2.0] directors that were elected, 11 were nominated by petition–which is a much more difficult election process.”
Marshall said that seven NRA 2.0 directors were reelected, with 12 newly elected.
“The NRA members have spoken clearly and forcefully at the ballot box and new directors will have a heavy influence on the NRA Board of Directors for years to come,” Marshall further stated. “We appreciate all of the NRA members who voted in this election and we look forward to working with these newly elected directors as we carry out the mission of the NRA for the members.”
There’s clear division among the slates of candidates/members. Beyond the two parties highlighted, there are other factions of members/future candidates. Being independent though might be costly in the future. One board member discussing the election results on background said it was “eye opening” that candidates “who did not align with a team” ended up not getting elected.
These latest wins for NRA 2.0 have widened the majority they gained in 2024. Because of that, there’s a shrinking number of old guard–Strong NRA directors. With the new makeup of the board, the NRA 2.0 cadre will be able to continue implementing their vision for the Association’s future.
Should the NRA have turned partisan as it has? There’s no doubt that the Association had its share of trouble during multiple scandals. Post-election, will the board of directors be able to put up a more unified front?
What remains on the table is the 76th director’s spot. At the NRA Annual Meeting, voting members will be able to vote for one eligible candidate to fill that position. The 76th director will serve a one-year term.
All eyes will be on the Association as they have their meeting in a couple of weeks. The NRAAM will be held in Atlanta, Georgia April 24 – 27. Bearing Arms will have boots on the ground reporting from the exposition. Editor-in-chief Cam Edwards and Contributor Tom Knighton will be covering the meeting – be sure to check them out at booth #665 and say “hello.”
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