North Carolina Rep. Jeff Jackson, a Democrat running for Attorney General, has come under fire after a video surfaced of him embracing a registered sex offender at a December 2022 LGBT event. The man in question, Chad Turner, had been convicted of lewd acts on minors and was the CEO of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce at the time of the event.
In the video, Jackson praised Turner’s contributions to the community before the two shared a public hug. Turner’s criminal record was exposed in 2016, leading to his resignation from the chamber, although he reportedly remained involved with the group.
Jackson’s office claims he was unaware of Turner’s status when accepting an award from the organization, but critics argue that Turner’s history was well-known. The incident is seen as a major misstep for Jackson, who is already facing scrutiny from conservative voters for his opposition to North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill.”
Jackson’s opponent, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), co-sponsored that bill, which sought to prevent individuals from using public restrooms that did not align with their biological sex. Turner had advocated for the Charlotte ordinance that led to the bill’s creation.
The video has generated significant attention, particularly among conservative outlets, potentially impacting Jackson’s campaign for Attorney General.
