Today, outside the Wake County GOP Convention where DC insider Michael Whatley was scheduled to speak, North Carolinians condemned Whatley for using his position of power to knowingly elevate convicted child sex predator Harvey West to NCGOP leadership.
After Whatley put West in a leadership role, Republican judicial candidates, including state Supreme Court GOP candidate Rep. Sarah Stevens, cozied up to West and attended his annual “Judicial Picnic” fundraiser at his home, allowing a convicted child sex predator to fuel their candidacies.
WATCH:
“Despite knowing about West’s criminal history, Whatley allowed West to serve in GOP leadership roles while he was NCGOP chair…And after he was elevated by Whatley, West became a top fundraiser for the Republican Judicial candidates, hosting an annual fundraiser at his home and influencing and fueling their campaigns,” said Senator Sophia Chitlik. “Here’s the good news: we have a candidate for United States Senate who has spent his entire career prosecuting violent criminals as Attorney General and as Governor. Governor Roy Cooper has kept North Carolina safe for decades, and we have the opportunity to send him to Washington to protect children and families – and not to safeguard their abusers like Michael Whatley.”
“[Michael Whatley] gave a convicted child sex offender a leadership role and a platform, appointing him multiple times to powerful roles within the party. He gave him access and influence to policy makers and judges. He made every one of us in North Carolina less safe, and his message to children and victims was clear: you matter less than party insiders,” said Alexis Stadler, a mom from Union County. “I’m here as a parent and a voter in North Carolina to say: no more. This cannot be allowed to continue. Michael Whatley and every single member of the Republican party who has cozied up to this child predator must be held accountable at the ballot box in November.”
###
