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State elections board investigating racist, homophobic threats against 2 NC candidates

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is investigating racist and homophobic threats against a Black candidate for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners and a Latino candidate for mayor of Siler City.

Elections board officials said Tuesday they’re monitoring the situation around numerous hateful text messages that attacked county commission candidate Rev. Albert Reddick and mayoral candidate Nick Gallardo.

“When we become aware of any threatening or harassing behavior pertaining to elections, we forward that information to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners,” SBE spokesman Patrick Gannon said in an email.

Both Reddick and Gallardo received racist texts with hateful messages and imagery, which were shared by the candidates to Raw Story, who first reported the news.

Tuesday is the primary election in North Carolina for races across the state.

Reddick, a Democrat, faces Katie Kenlan and Travis Patterson in the primary for the District 4 seat.

Gallardo faces Donald Matthews and Thomas K. “Chip” Price III, the mayor pro tem, for mayor.

Reddick filed a complaint with the Siler City Police Department.

Gallardo, 23, was sent over 100 text messages more than 100 messages, many of which were homophobic or violent in nature. Gallardo says the attacks have included being tailed in his vehicle.

One message to Gallardo threatened him and the three other candidates under the “Unity 2022” ticket in the race, saying “I hope y’all get AIDS and die.”

He said he does not identify as gay, but told WRAL that one of his running mates is.

If elected, he would the first Latino mayor and the youngest mayor to hold office in Siler City.

The News & Observer has reached out to Reddick and Gallardo for comment.

Siler City police chief Mike Wagner did not return messages asking for details on the investigation.

Saturday, about 100 people gathered in Chatham County to mourn five local residents who were lynched a century ago, The N&O reported.

In March, Chatham County received national attention after a parent posted on social media that Black middle school students were “sold” at a mock slave auction in Goldston, The N&O reported. The school system said no school employees were involved in the incident, but it prompted community protests and calls for action from the school district.

Chatham County Superintendent Anthony Jackson issued an apology, and the school board approved recommendations to expedite a response if a staff member or student reports any form of discrimination.