WECT INVESTIGATES INSIDER: AI campaign ad, commission vacancy controversies

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - WECT Investigative Reporter Connor Smith joins Jon Evans to discuss two of his recent stories, which looked into a political advertisement and an open seat on the Pender County Board of Commissioners.

WECT INVESTIGATES: Michael Lee hit with cease and desist over AI ad

Democrat Jessica Bichler has sent a cease and desist letter to Republican Michael Lee’s campaign, demanding it stop airing a commercial that Bichler’s campaign says contains falsehoods. Lee, the state senate majority leader, represents most of New Hanover County.

The ad, paid for by Lee’s campaign, is called “Bonkers Bichler.” It has received more than 550,000 views on YouTube as of Thursday afternoon, and has been airing on local TV repeatedly.

The commercial uses AI to show Bichler meditating and doing yoga while attacking her politics, pushing the message that she’s so left-wing she’s “bonkers.” Bichler co-owns the Wilmington Yoga Center on Oleander Dr.

Bichler said the ad makes false allegations about her policy views. The commercial says her campaign is supported by organizations that support defunding the police, letting criminals “walk,” and giving free health care to illegal immigrants, tying her to the American Friends Service Committee.

This is the second straight election cycle in which Lee’s campaign has received a cease and desist letter over an ad. In 2024, Democratic opponent David Hill sent Lee’s campaign a letter related to ads attacking him and his policies. Lee ultimately won that race by nearly nine points.

Lee declined to answer questions on camera. He sent a statement Thursday afternoon: “We received the letter, our attorney is reviewing it, and we will respond through counsel. Jessica Bichler’s campaign launch party was posted on a page carrying the American Friends Service Committee’s name. That is documented, and her campaign’s own explanation is that it was an error. If it was, it was not our error, and she can explain how it happened. The question voters actually care about is simple: does Ms. Bichler share the American Friends Service Committee’s positions, or doesn’t she? If she doesn’t, she can say so. If she does, voters deserve to know that too.”

NCGOP issues ruling after Pender County commissioner appointment challenged

In Pender County last week, the North Carolina Republican Party ruled on a dispute involving Beth Burns’ appointment to the Pender County Board of Commissioners. Burns is expected to be appointed to the board during a meeting Tuesday night.

Earlier this month, the Pender County GOP Executive Committee voted for Burns, a county school board member, to fill Brad George’s seat. George announced his resignation in June. Burns won that vote, 15-14, against Shayne Frey, who remains the Republican nominee for the District 1 seat in November, where he will face Democrat Tim Zizack.

Two challenges were recently filed against the appointment, according to Pender County GOP Chair Joshua Smith. One was tied to Burns holding seats on the school board and county commission at the same time. She announced her resignation from the school board, which would become effective after being sworn into the county commission.

The second challenge, submitted by county commissioner Randy Burton, was related to Burns’ husband, Jim, apparently casting the tie-breaking vote for her appointment.

Jim Burns is a member of the Pender County Soil and Water board, giving him a seat on the executive committee, Smith said. Jim Burns did vote on the commissioner vacancy at an Aug. 20 meeting, Smith said.

Beth Burns declined to comment on the challenge, saying she wants the process to play out and see what happens at the commissioners meeting.

Burns would serve the remainder of the term until a new commissioner is sworn in after the November general election.

The ruling noted the most recent Pender County Republican Party Plan of Organization, which outlines policies and procedures, is different from the current NCGOP Plan, meaning the state party’s plan was in effect at the time of the Aug. 20 meeting.

NCGOP’s plan doesn’t include any language about people having to recuse themselves from voting.