NC Attorney General Challenger’s Embrace Of Registered Sex Offender At LGBT Event Raises Serious Questions

A newly surfaced video showing Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC) hugging a convicted sex offender at a December 2022 LGBT event is causing controversy in the race for North Carolina Attorney General. Jackson, who was the guest of honor at the event, praised Chad Turner, the CEO of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce, before embracing him on stage.

Turner, who was convicted of lewd acts on a minor, resigned from his leadership role in 2016 when his criminal past became public. Despite stepping down, Turner reportedly remained active in the organization.

Jackson’s office has since claimed that he did not know about Turner’s past at the time of the event, but critics are questioning this claim. Turner’s conviction received considerable media attention, particularly in Charlotte, where Jackson served as a state senator.

This incident has reignited debates over Jackson’s stance on LGBT rights, especially given his vocal opposition to North Carolina’s “bathroom bill.” The bill, introduced by Jackson’s Republican opponent Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), was a direct response to an ordinance pushed by Turner allowing individuals to use public facilities based on their gender identity.

As the Attorney General race heats up, the video could hurt Jackson’s chances with conservative voters, many of whom support Bishop’s stance on the bathroom bill and oppose Jackson’s close ties to controversial LGBT activists.