The North Carolina Republican Party released a statement on Mar. 24 raising concerns about former Governor Roy Cooper’s association with Chad Turner, a registered sex offender, and former Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce president.
The issue is significant due to the involvement of Turner in local policy debates and his criminal history. The party also highlighted connections between Cooper and former State Representative Cecil Brockman, who faced child sex charges.
According to the release, “Chad Turner, a.k.a Chad Severance-Turner or a combination thereof, is the convicted sex offender Whatley’s opponent, former Roy Cooper, was seen hanging out with at a 2018 LGBT Chamber gala hosted in Charlotte. Several other prominent Democrats were also at that Gala, such as Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.” The statement details Turner’s role in advocating for an ordinance passed by Charlotte in 2015 allowing bathroom access based on gender identity. Shortly after its passage, it was revealed that Turner was a registered sex offender due to crimes committed in 1998 while serving as a youth minister and music director at New Harvest Church of God in Gaffney, South Carolina.
Turner was convicted on one count of lewd acts with a minor under age 16 and sentenced to ten years in prison but served two before being paroled. He remains on the registry. During this period, Turner resigned from his position at the LGBT Chamber but later returned after public attention subsided.
The party cited comments made by Cooper during his tenure as attorney general regarding House Bill 2 (HB2), which reversed the city’s ordinance: “I think we need to be working on priorities that help North Carolina families and help public education. That’s what we should be concentrating on, not this.”
Additional references were made regarding Cecil Brockman’s indictment on child sex charges and his previous support for Cooper.
The North Carolina Republican Party emphasizes individual dignity and freedom while advocating for equal rights and limited government according to its official website. The organization operates within North Carolina according to its official website as a political entity focused on state-level advocacy according to its official website, maintaining headquarters at 1506 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh according to its official website.
The broader implications of these statements reflect ongoing scrutiny of political figures’ associations and the potential impact on public trust in leadership. Observers may expect further discussion as the state party continues to raise questions about past affiliations and their relevance to current political debates.
