Charlotte Senate Race Intensifies with Controversial Accusations Against Democratic Candidate

Charlotte’s Senate Race Heats Up Amid Controversial Claims

In the vibrant city of Charlotte, the race for the Senate seat is shaping up to be a heated battle between Republican candidate Stacie McGinn and Democratic contender Woodson Bradley. With just a few weeks left until the election, the stakes are high, and both candidates are aiming to make their mark.

Digging into the Past

Recently, McGinn has taken to the campaign trail with some heavy accusations against Bradley, targeting her previous involvement with a company that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shut down back in 2013. This company, known as Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM), was notorious for operating as a pyramid scheme that primarily deceived consumers, particularly those from Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities.

McGinn’s claims hinge on Bradley’s former role as one of the top earners in FHTM and her title as a platinum sales manager, which required her to maintain a downline of at least 636 participants, as noted in court documents. In a recent statement, McGinn posed a rhetorical question to voters: “As business men and women — not as Democrats or Republicans — if you were hiring one of us based on our relevant experience, who would you choose?”

Sharp Responses from Bradley’s Camp

In response, Bradley’s campaign has firmly rejected these allegations, claiming they are misleading and false. They emphasize that Bradley was merely an independent contractor and not an owner or part of the management at FHTM. Wesley Davis, Bradley’s campaign manager, stated, “This claim insinuates that Woodson was an owner of FHTM and a party in the case against the company. Woodson was an independent contractor, never an owner.”

Campaign Advertising Takes Aim

To bolster her position, McGinn’s campaign has rolled out mailers labeling Bradley as the “pyramid queen.” One of these mailers highlights that FHTM was shut down and fined over $1 million for scamming consumers. These strong accusations intend to paint a clear picture of Bradley’s involvement in an organization deemed harmful by federal authorities.

Highlighting a video from 2012, McGinn’s team showcases Bradley encouraging an audience to join FHTM, presenting her past as evidence of a questionable business practice. In these videos, Bradley passionately talks about building a community through FHTM and how it positively impacted her family. However, these testimonials came just before the FTC’s action against the company, which revealed that most of the participants lost money, with only those at the very top making significant earnings.

A Race to Watch

The District 42 race is particularly intriguing as it is one of the tightest contests in the region, with Democrats hoping to chip away at the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly. A closer look at the voting trends indicates a slight Democratic edge in the district, with 50.1% of voters identifying as Democrats, compared to 47.7% Republican.

Looking Beyond the Claims

Critics of McGinn’s focus on these accusations argue it is a distraction from more pressing issues. Davis contends that the campaign should center on policies that impact constituents rather than accusations against personal history. “Woodson is a dedicated community leader and advocate for women, children, and families,” he remarked, aiming to shift the dialogue back to substantive matters.

The Road Ahead

As the campaign presses on, it is clear that both candidates are bringing their A-game, and the drama surrounding past affiliations continues to add fuel to the fire. With election day approaching rapidly, it will be fascinating to see how voters react to these swirling claims and counterclaims. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the people of Charlotte are in for an exciting political showdown!