North Carolina Senate Candidates Exchange Defamation Claims

David Hill, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina State Senate District 7, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to incumbent Republican Sen. Michael Lee, claiming that campaign ads falsely assert Hill supports 'sex change surgery for kids.' Hill's legal team argues that the ads are defamatory, citing a blog post that does not support such claims and instead discusses surgical emergencies. Lee's legal representatives have countered that their assertion is based on Hill's past positions within the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommended gender-affirming care for minors. The ads in question have raised significant concern for Hill, who emphasizes the potential harm to his professional reputation as a pediatrician. The controversy comes after Lee had previously settled a defamation suit against a prior opponent, suggesting a pattern in aggressive campaign tactics. As of now, Lee's campaign has not publicly addressed whether the ads will be removed or revised.