Source: Fox News
Introduction
A contentious debate has emerged in the North Carolina Senate race following revelations regarding former Governor Roy Cooper’s past administrative appointments. Reports have surfaced that Cooper, while serving as governor, selected a former member of the Bloods gang to serve on a state-sanctioned criminal justice task force.
The decision to appoint an individual with a history of violent criminal convictions to the Racial Equity in Criminal Justice task force has drawn scrutiny from political opponents. As the race for the Senate seat intensifies, the controversy surrounding the North Carolina Democrat's past policy decisions has become a focal point of the campaign trail.
What Happened
In the aftermath of the 2020 death of George Floyd, Governor Roy Cooper utilized an executive order to establish the Racial Equity in Criminal Justice task force. The panel was designed to examine systemic issues within the state's legal and policing systems, with current Governor Josh Stein, who was serving as attorney general at the time, appointed to lead the initiative.
Among the various community activists and state officials selected for the panel was Kerwin Pittman. Records indicate that Pittman had previously served 14 years in prison following a 2007 conviction for conspiracy to commit murder. During a separate murder trial involving Bloods member Michael Contrez Jones, prosecutors identified Pittman as a ranking member of the criminal organization.
Background
The appointment of Pittman has sparked significant discussion regarding the criteria used for committee selections during the Cooper administration. Pittman’s criminal record includes a conviction related to a 2006 drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Jamel Amiens Jeffreys.
At the time of his appointment to the task force, Pittman was affiliated with Emancipate NC. This organization has frequently advocated for radical changes to law enforcement, with leadership publishing essays that characterize the core objective of modern policing as the maintenance of white supremacy.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Pittman convicted in the drive-by shooting of Jamel Amiens Jeffreys. |
| 2007 | Pittman convicted of conspiracy to commit murder; begins 14-year sentence. |
| 2020 | Governor Cooper creates the Racial Equity in Criminal Justice task force. |
| 2023 | Emancipate NC publishes essay calling for the abolition of police. |
Key Details
Pittman has defended his inclusion on the task force, asserting that his participation was predicated on his lived experience and subsequent community work. He noted that the criminal activities associated with his past occurred when he was a teenager or young man, stating he is now 39 years old.
Addressing the controversy, the Cooper campaign pivoted to the record of his opponent, Republican candidate Michael Whatley. The campaign alleged that Whatley previously appointed a convicted sex offender to a high-ranking position within the North Carolina Republican Party, providing the individual access to events involving children.
Impact
The revelation has fueled an ongoing narrative regarding public safety and the vetting processes utilized by political leaders in North Carolina. GOP figures have leveraged the report to highlight perceived hypocrisy, particularly as both candidates navigate a high-stakes campaign environment where criminal justice reform remains a top-tier issue for voters.
The exchange of accusations between the two camps underscores the partisan divide regarding how political candidates manage their associations and administrative appointments. While the Cooper campaign characterizes their opponent’s history as equally problematic, the focus remains on whether the appointment of a former gang member to a state task force aligns with the expectations of the North Carolina electorate.
What Happens Next
As the Senate race continues, both the Cooper and Whatley campaigns are expected to face ongoing pressure to clarify their respective records regarding past appointments. Neither Pittman nor the Whatley campaign provided an immediate response to requests for comment following the initial report.
Voters in North Carolina will continue to weigh these findings as they evaluate the candidates' judgment and policy priorities. With the election approaching, the debate over criminal justice oversight and the background of those granted influence in state government is likely to persist as a central theme in the political discourse.
