Freecon Raleigh: The Future of the American Right
Description
Join the John Locke Foundation and Carolina Journal for FreeCon Raleigh, an evening of timely political analysis, lively conversation, and ideas about the future of freedom and American conservatism.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 4–8 p.m.
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel | Raleigh, North Carolina
The evening will feature keynote speaker Stephanie Slade, senior fellow at the Reason Foundation and author of the new book Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right. Slade will explore the principles at the heart of fusionism and what they can tell us about the future of conservatism, classical liberalism, and the broader American political landscape. Books will be available for purchase, and Stephanie will be signing copies.
Prior to dinner, FreeCon Raleigh will also feature two special panel discussions from Carolina Journal.
The first will give attendees an exclusive early look at the November Carolina Journal Poll. With the 2026 election behind us, the conversation will move beyond the horse race to examine what North Carolina voters are thinking in the aftermath of Election Day. Attendees will hear the results and analysis before the full poll is released publicly at noon the following day.
The second panel will be a live taping of The Debrief, Carolina Journal’s weekly YouTube show. Join the Carolina Journal team as they break down the latest developments in North Carolina politics and policy in front of a live audience.
Dinner will be provided.
Members of the press interested in covering FreeCon Raleigh may request a complimentary press pass by contacting bgoforth@lockehq.org.
Agenda
- 3:45 pm
Opening Registration
- 4:20 pm
Carolina Journal Poll Presentation
Join Mitch Kokai and David Larson to hear the presentation of the latest polling following election day results. Topics will include exit polling on the Senate race, ballot measures, and issues impacting Carolinians.
- 5:10 pm
Panel: The Future of Conservatism
The American Right is undergoing a period of significant change, as new coalitions, priorities, leaders, and ideas reshape the conservative movement and its approach to governing. What will define its next chapter and where will its strongest ideas and leaders emerge? In this conversation led by Donna King, Donald Bryson, Scott Licicome, Kent Lassman, and Jenna Robinson will discuss the evolving conservative movement and North Carolina’s increasingly important role within it. Panelists will explore the political, policy, and cultural forces shaping the right; the opportunities and challenges facing the movement in the years ahead; and how North Carolina’s leadership, institutions, voters, and policy landscape may help influence the national conversation. The discussion will look beyond the election cycles to consider the longer-term future of conservative politics, including how the movement can build durable coalitions, translate ideas into effective policy, and respond to a changing political environment.
- 6:15 pm
Keynote Dinner
As lame duck administrations approach, questions about the future of the right have taken on new urgency. What principles should guide the right in the years ahead? How should conservatives think about the relationship between individual liberty, strong communities, political power, and the institutions that shape American life? The John Locke Foundation is honored to host Stephanie Slade as the 2026 FreeCon Raleigh keynote speaker, to offer a thoughtful perspective on the evolving American right and the ideas that may define its next chapter. Drawing on her work examining conservatism, liberalism, culture, and political philosophy, she will explore the tensions and opportunities facing the movement and consider what a principled, durable vision for the future might look like. The address will challenge attendees to look beyond the politics of the moment and consider the deeper values, institutions, and commitments necessary to sustain a healthy conservative movement and a thriving American society.
Lineup
Stephanie Slade
Stephanie Slade is a senior editor at Reason, the magazine of "free minds and free markets," and the author of Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right, out now from University of Notre Dame Press. Her writing has appeared in America magazine, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, the Online Library of Liberty, and elsewhere. She covers the intersection of religion and politics. Slade is best known for her piece "Why I Am a Pro-Life Libertarian," her magazine feature on booze-producing monks, and her defenses of fusionism (which probably isn't what you think!). Don't miss her discussing the differences between comprehensive and political libertarianism on The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. In 2013, Slade was named a finalist for the Bastiat Prize for Journalism. In 2016, she was selected as a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow. She has been a guest on a variety of podcasts, including Jonah Goldberg's The Remnant, Charlie Sykes' The Bulwark Podcast, and The New York Times' Ezra Klein Show. Prior to joining Reason, Slade worked as a speechwriter and pollster. She's a proud graduate of the University of Florida, where she studied economics and political science. Follow her on X: @sladesr.
Kent Lassman
Kent Lassman has served as president and CEO at the Competitive Enterprise Institute since 2016, overseeing strategy and operations for the free-market organization. Lassman’s experience includes testifying before Congress and state legislatures and participating in regulatory proceedings. His research has covered topics as varied as the federal budget and Progressivism in America, as well as environmental and telecommunications policy.
Scott Lincicome
Scott Lincicome is the vice president of general economics and Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. He writes on international and domestic economic issues, including international trade; subsidies and industrial policy; manufacturing and global supply chains; and economic dynamism.
Donald Bryson
Donald Bryson is Chief Executive Officer of the John Locke Foundation. He leads Locke’s work to advance individual freedom, free markets, limited government, and government accountability in North Carolina through public policy research, journalism, civic education, and strategic advocacy.
Jenna Robinson
Jenna Robinson is president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. Robinson serves on the board of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance, the UNC Alumni Free Speech Alliance, the steering committee of the Bastiat Society of Raleigh, and as a member of the Board of Visitors at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Donna King
Donna King is the executive vice president of the John Locke Foundation and publisher of Carolina Journal where she oversees strategic initiatives and editorial operations, with a focus on transparency, free markets, and accountable government.
Mitch Kokai
Mitch Kokai is the senior political advisor and senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation with more than 30 years of experience covering North Carolina policy, politics, and the judicial system. Throughout his career, he has worked to provide fair, independent information to the people of North Carolina. His analysis helps audiences understand how decisions in Raleigh affect their communities.
David Larson
David Larson is editor-in-chief of Carolina Journal, overseeing the publication’s day-to-day operations. This includes fielding (and writing) opinion columns, assigning and editing news stories from reporters, putting together the print edition, and more. In the five years leading up to this role, Larson also served Carolina Journal as deputy editor, then opinion editor, then, most recently, managing editor.
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