nc values coalition KNEE-CAPS a “friend”
[REVISED AND UPDATED] Jim Pedersen is a Republican candidate for Moore County board of education. Pedersen, a former Marine and a father of grown children (some of whom attended Moore County schools), has made a name for himself in politics by championing age restrictions for certain books in school libraries and fighting efforts to allow boys into girls sports, girls locker rooms, and girls bathrooms.
Pedersen has collaborated frequently with the Raleigh-based nc values coalition and other conservative groups on those and other issues. In fact, nc values coalition posted the above photo in April of Pedersen and other activists who they described as “friends.” (Pedersen is the first one going from right to left.)
Fast forward to last week. Sources close to Pedersen tell us a representative of nc values initiated contact with Pedersen. Pedersen, my source says, was told they wanted to consider endorsing his campaign for school board. Pedersen did not seek the group’s endorsement, but agreed to participate.
Apparently, Pedersen passed muster in the endorsement interview. NC Values posted the following shortly afterward on their social media accounts:
Less than a day later, Pedersen receives THIS from a rep for nc values:
Okay. So, Pedersen DID NOT seek an endorsement from nc values coalition. But he got it ANYWAY – even if it only lasted for less than 24 hours. NC Values didn’t just snatch the unsolicited endorsement, but they had to slime him with some purported “integrity” concern.
Again, Pedersen is a military veteran who devotes an amazing amount of time to veterans-related and other charitable organizations.
My source close to Pedersen tells me that nc values has not responded to multiple calls and emails from campaign workers and supporters seeking clarification on those suddenly-discovered “concerns.”
NC Values is led by lobbyist Tami Fitzgerald who is notorious for allowing her organization to give holy-roller biblical protection to the shenanigans and mischief of the NCGOP establishment in Raleigh.
They can’t possibly have concerns about Pedersen’s positions on the issues. He’s right there with them on indecency in school libraries and boys in girls sports, girls locker rooms, and girls restrooms. In fact, Pedersen’s presence has been requested several times to assist with nc values programs.
You can search the nc values website and find numerous instances of state Rep. Neal Jackson of Moore County hugged up to Tami and the gang.
Jackson provided the following statement about the nc values endorsement / non-endorsement:
[…] For the record, I have had no conversations or communications with NC Values or any of its representatives concerning the endorsement of Mr. Pedersen, either before or after the endorsement, or at any time since the subsequent un-endorsement. Any statement or implication suggesting otherwise is false and misrepresents my involvement in this matter. […]
NC Values has a significant vetting problem. When I have called these out, Tami has viscously attacked me via messages. Here are a few questionable endorsements from an organization that claims to be ultra conservative and faith-based.
They endorsed Fred Von Cannon over Brad Knott. Fred has a mug shot and convictions for tax issues. He actually paid late taxes and fees during that primary.
They have also endorsed numerous candidates that attended and funded the Judicial Victory Picnic held at the home of convicted child sex offender, Harvey West.
When I called this out – Tami doubled down.
How can anyone take a “conservative” organization seriously that think elevating and supporting a pedophile is acceptable?
The one that really got me was their endorsement of Phil Berger, the same Phil Berger who was one of the ringleaders of handing Roy Cooper his top legislative issue at the time, the repeal of HB2, the bathroom privacy law. How does this organization figure that allowing biological males into the bathrooms and locker rooms of woman and girls is an “NC value”???????
Maybe NC “Values” Coalition opposes Pederson specifically because the NC “Values” people WANT men in girl’s restrooms and Pederson opposes it.
That is exactly what their pro-Berger, anti-Pederson endorsements tell us about them.
Remember people, deeds, not words.
The NC “Values” Coalition having issues with both ethics and values appears to be a statewide trend.
If a “Values” coalition doesn’t endorse based up either values or ethics, it makes you speculate on the trues goals of the organization.
Fred also said he would max out a donation to a candidate for the State House. Went to a couple of fundraisers and never donated. Not confirmed, but I heard Fred gave NC Values a nice donation. The $100 I gave Scheitzelt was more than what Fred gave. I have made several small donations to Schietzelt this year. Fred’s check is still in the mail.
Late to the party on this one. NC Values endorsed in Senate 18 in the primary: a candidate who did not even complete the survey. They labeled the primary opponent a moderate. The opponent got 60.5 percent of the vote. It bodes well for the northern Wake/Granville district.
Last year they pigeonholed the longtime Mayor of Wake Forest and helped elect a Socialist as Mayor. I did email NC Values asking for an explanation. Just like NCGOP or Wake GOP No reply. Thanks- keep your endorsements.