NC GOP alleges vote-buying scheme in Wilmington City Council race
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- NC GOP referred alleged $100 vote-buying scheme in Wilmington to State Board.
- Party provided redacted text screenshots showing an operative offering cash for votes.
- State Board will review the referral; party says candidates are not accused directly.
The North Carolina Republican Party referred an alleged vote-buying scheme to the State Board of Elections for investigation on Friday, claiming that a voter had been offered $100 to vote for Democratic candidates in the Wilmington City Council election.
“This is a troubling allegation and an egregious affront to our democracy and an attempt to buy votes in exchange for cash,” NC GOP Chair Jason Simmons said in a press conference. “The North Carolina Republican Party stands committed and steadfast in its determination for free, fair and transparent elections.”
In a press release, the NC GOP provided screenshots of a text-message interaction that it said was between a New Hanover County voter and an unnamed operative who offered “100 dollars for your vote.”
“After you vote, one of our team members will meet you in her car near your polling place and pay you cash money,” the text continued.
The screenshots redacted the name of the person who wrote the text, and party officials did not provide details on who they believe directed the scheme. The party is not alleging that the candidates themselves conducted the alleged bribery.
“Someone is doing it on their behalf, whether they knew about it or not,” NC GOP Communications Director Matt Mercer said.
Promising or accepting money in exchange for a vote is a felony in North Carolina.
A spokesperson for the State Board of Elections said the board cannot comment on pending investigations but would review the matter.
New Hanover County Democrats have endorsed three candidates for city council in the nonpartisan election.
One of those candidates, Cassidy Santaguida, told The News & Observer that she was informed of the alleged vote-buying scheme earlier in the week and promptly reported it to the chair of the New Hanover County Democratic Party.
“I have run an honest, transparent campaign focused on issues affecting the residents of Wilmington,” she said in an email. “I’ll continue to focus on the needs of our city, and I trust that law enforcement and the NCSBE will investigate the legitimacy of these allegations.”
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 10:57 AM with the headline "NC GOP alleges vote-buying scheme in Wilmington City Council race."
