Fact check: GOP says Stein touted ‘defund the police’ endorsement after Charlotte shooting
A Republican group’s ad criticizing Democrat Josh Stein for bragging about an endorsement from an organization led by a “defund the police radical” contradicts his record as attorney general, according to his campaign.
In the Republican Governors Association video advertisement, Randolph County Sheriff Gregory Seabolt says Stein, the Democratic nominee for governor, bragged about the support. The ad begins with a news clip about the April 29 shooting on Galway Drive in Charlotte. Four law enforcement officers were killed and five others were injured while trying to serve a warrant.
“A few days after this tragedy, Josh Stein bragged about the endorsement of a group run by a defund the police radical,” Seabolt says in the ad. “That’s outrageous. But it’s part of a pattern.”
But a spokesperson from Stein’s campaign clarified the claims, saying Stein does not support defunding the police and worked to put violent criminals in prison.
“Attorney General Stein has never supported defunding the police and, in fact, has called on the legislature to invest more in recruiting and retaining law enforcement,” Kate Frauenfelder wrote in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. “There is only one candidate in this race who put violent criminals behind bars and kept North Carolinians safe and that is Attorney General Josh Stein.”
The ad has appeared on cable, broadcast and digital platforms and is funded by a “seven-figure investment,” the Republican Governors Association said.
‘Defund the police radical’
The claims about a “defund the police radical” come from a May 2 post on X where Stein thanked voting rights organization Public Wise for its endorsement.
“As Governor, I will work to create a democracy that is accountable and truly representative,” the post says, making no reference to law enforcement.
The executive director of Public Wise, Christina Baal-Owens, made an Instagram post amid Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020 voicing her support for a vote by Minneapolis council members to dismantle the city’s police department. In her post, Baal-Owens called the decision a victory for Black organizers in Minneapolis and proof of the efficacy of protests.
“Josh Stein’s disturbing decision to tout the endorsement of a group run by a defund the police radical just days after four law enforcement officers were killed in North Carolina is part of a dangerous pattern,” Republican Governors Association spokesperson Courtney Alexander told The Charlotte Observer. “Josh Stein’s soft on crime actions as Attorney General, including his push to eliminate cash bail and releasing violent criminals from prison early, have made North Carolina less safe.”
The endorsement does not appear on Stein’s campaign website as of Wednesday afternoon.
Josh Stein’s record
Stein’s record as the state’s top law enforcement officer tells a different story than the one painted in the ad, his campaign says.
In 2023 Stein told the North Carolina General Assembly the state needed to “put its money where its mouth is,” and direct funds toward law enforcement and public safety, according to a release by the North Carolina Department of Justice.
Stein again asked for more funding for law enforcement in January on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, saying the state needed to put resources toward officer recruitment and offering sign-on bonuses.
On April 30, days before his X post about Public Wise, Stein spoke at a news conference addressing the deadly Galway Drive shooting in Charlotte and offering prayers to the families of the deceased officers.
“Today is a day of heartbreak in North Carolina,” he said. “Although our words are insufficient, we offer our most sincere gratitude for their selfless service and we mourn their ultimate sacrifice.”
A statement from Mark Robinson’s campaign echoes the sentiments in the RGA ad, saying that Stein’s backing by Public Wise poses a threat to the safety of North Carolina residents.
“Stein is backed by radical groups that want to defund the police, and on his watch North Carolina saw the deadliest attack against law enforcement since 2016,” Mike Lonergan, spokesperson for the Mark Robinson for Governor campaign, wrote. “As governor, (Robinson) will partner with President Trump to secure the border, crack down on violent crime, and make our streets safer.”
Does Stein want to eliminate cash bail?
Seabolt also says in the RGA ad Stein pushed to eliminate cash bail, which Republicans say lets violent criminals off the hook. The RGA’s claims are in reference to Stein’s work as co-chair of the state’s Task Force for Racial Equity, a group established by Gov. Roy Cooper.
The task force released recommendations for the state in 2020, one of which was to eliminate cash bail for certain misdemeanors unless there is a risk to public safety, according to the report.
Stein said in past statements bail amounts should be based on the risk a person may pose to the community.
“Decisions about pretrial detainment should be made based on a person’s risk to their community, not the size of their bank account,” he said in 2019, according to a release by NCDOJ.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Fact check: GOP says Stein touted ‘defund the police’ endorsement after Charlotte shooting."
