Allegations of Vote Buying Emerge in Wilmington City Council Race
In a surprising development in Wilmington, allegations have surfaced involving text messages purportedly offering cash for votes in the city council race, sparking discussions and inquiries among political circles. These messages, allegedly sent to a voter, claim to represent three Democratic candidates, although no verification of the messages has been completed and no other similar reports have been filed.
Jason Simmons, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, called the situation “troubling” and highlighted it as a “challenge to our shared values.” The complaint has been forwarded to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) for further investigation. Dave Boliek, the Republican State Auditor, stated his office’s readiness to assist in the investigation.
The NCSBE acknowledged awareness of the allegations, emphasizing the gravity of such claims. A spokesperson mentioned, “We are aware of the complaints about text messages in New Hanover County, but we cannot comment on specific investigations,” while noting the severity of voter fraud and its legal consequences, which include fines and potential imprisonment as per state law.
The texts, as shared by the GOP, suggest a voter was approached at a recent rally, though the messages don’t disclose any affiliation with the Democratic Party or specific candidates. Four Democratic candidates are in the race, but due to redactions, the implicated individuals remain unidentified.
Indivisible Wilmington, a local grassroots organization, firmly denied any involvement or endorsement in the matter. They stated, “Rumors that Indivisible Wilmington endorsed a candidate – and more absurdly, that a small grassroots organization entirely powered by volunteers would facilitate paying voters — are false.”
Democratic candidates like J.C. Lyle and Cassidy Santaguida have distanced themselves from the texts. Santaguida reported being informed of the allegations by a local GOP volunteer and emphasized her support for a thorough investigation, stating, “I have not seen any evidence to verify the truth of this message, but I alerted the [New Hanover County Democratic Party] Chair of this accusation on Tuesday afternoon and have no further knowledge about it.”
The local Democratic Party has called for legal action against any confirmed vote-buying, while accusing the GOP of exaggeration. Party Chair Jill Hopman argued that the accusation stemmed from a dubious source, lacking any substantial evidence.
Hopman criticized the GOP’s handling of the situation, pointing to their efforts to distract from other controversies. She remarked, “Instead of waiting for the NC Board of Elections to investigate this farce, the NCGOP is trying to turn this into a sensationalized circus to change the subject from their Communications Director being caught threatening journalists with retaliation yesterday.”
John Hinnant, New Hanover County GOP Chairman, refuted claims about the complainant’s political affiliations and affirmed the party’s commitment to resolving the issue. “The complainant has campaigned against our candidates, including this city council election,” he said, highlighting the need for a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Luke Waddell, a Republican candidate, echoed these calls for investigation, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability. “My campaign will aggressively pursue all legal remedies if evidence is found to support these claims,” he asserted.
