Republican-Backed Groups Pouring Money into Democratic Primary Races in North Carolina’s 2024 Elections
Title: Secretive GOP-Backed Groups Pouring Money into North Carolina Democratic Primaries
As the 2024 primary elections in North Carolina heat up, an unexpected twist has emerged: secretive outside groups tied to top Republican leaders are funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars into key Democratic races.
One of the most contentious races is the Democratic primary for attorney general, where U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson is facing off against Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry and lawyer Tim Dunn. Jackson recently accused an outside group, heavily promoting Deberry as the more progressive candidate, of being a fake liberal group funded by GOP interests.
The group in question, the And Justice For All PAC, has been pouring money into the race without disclosing its backers. While there is no direct proof of Republican ties, the group’s connections to a niche bank founded by a former Republican U.S. senator and a history of working with Republican ad buyers raise suspicions.
In another race, the Carolina Leadership Coalition, a conservative group with deep ties to GOP leadership, is supporting moderate Democratic incumbents Reps. Michael Wray and Cecil Brockman against progressive challengers. The CLC has been sending out mailers praising Wray and Brockman for their pro-business record, despite criticism from their challengers.
The influx of outside money and influence has raised concerns among Democrats, who are hoping to break the Republican supermajority in the legislature. With the primary elections just two weeks away, the battle between progressive and moderate Democrats is intensifying, with both sides vying for control of the party’s direction.
As the candidates make their final push before election day, the role of secretive outside groups in shaping the outcome of key races remains a point of contention. With little transparency around their funding sources and motives, the influence of these groups on North Carolina’s political landscape is a cause for concern among voters and candidates alike.
