N.C. Dems say GOP pays ads for 10 Senate candidates
The North Carolina Democratic Party says Republicans are masking who paid for some of the television ads run by some GOP candidates for state Senate.
Posted — UpdatedThe Democratic Party said Friday financial disclosure forms show the state GOP bought at least $1 million in television air time. The Democrats say that, instead of stating that the ad was purchased by the North Carolina Republican Party, the GOP candidates in 10 hard-fought state Senate races are claiming they paid.
The Democrats contend that opens the door to cheaper advertising rates reserved for political candidates and gives the GOP a discount the law doesn't allow.
“Disclaimer and disclosure laws exist for a reason, and the Republican Party knowingly and flagrantly violated those laws,” Democratic Party Executive Director Andrew Whalen said in a statement. “They have illegally purchased air time across the state in an attempt to cheat television stations and mislead voters."
Attorneys for WRAL have advised that the station continue airing the campaign ads.
North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Tom Fetzer called the claim "bogus."
“We have followed the letter of the law. It’s the Friday before Halloween, and I am just wondering what costumes the Democrats were wearing when they made these claims? " Fetzer said in a statement.
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