NC Democrat Jeff Jackson Seen Embracing Registered Sex Offender At LGBT Event

A resurfaced video showing Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC), the Democratic nominee for North Carolina Attorney General, embracing a registered sex offender at a 2022 LGBT event has raised questions about his judgment just weeks before the election. 

The December event featured Jackson praising Chad Turner, a local LGBT leader and convicted sex offender, calling him “a positive force” for the Charlotte community.

Turner, who was charged in the 1990s with lewd acts on minors, was the CEO of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce at the time of the event. He had previously stepped down from the group after his criminal past came to light, but reports suggest he continued to maintain a leadership role.

Jackson’s campaign stated he was unaware of Turner’s criminal record when he accepted an award from the group, but critics find that difficult to believe. Turner’s history was widely reported in 2016, especially in Charlotte, where Jackson has been politically active.

This revelation has sparked backlash, particularly from conservative media and voters, as Jackson’s past opposition to North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” is also being highlighted. The bill, co-sponsored by Jackson’s opponent Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), was introduced in response to an ordinance backed by Turner — the registered sex offender.

As the November election approaches, the incident has cast a shadow on Jackson’s campaign and his character, potentially damaging his chances in the Attorney General race.