Fact check on NC House District 51 race funding claims reveals local support for Charles M. Taylor

Citizen Media News (CMN) published an online article on Feb. 27 about the race for North Carolina House District 51. The CMN article “Deep State Gambling-Backed PAC Floods NC House District 51 as Campaign Tactics Draw Scrutiny” includes unverified claims against candidate Charles M. Taylor, and it writes disparaging opinions.

CMN writes the House 51 race was targeted by a “newly formed political action committee funded entirely by casino gambling interests, flooding the race with mailers and television ads — and raising serious questions among voters.”

By stacking the claim of trickle-down gambling funds supporting Taylor’s campaign with a statement about his television ads and then failing to mention that Taylor is in the broadcasting business, the article creates suspicion.

Yet, the article does not direct readers to a source to verify the claim of support from a newly formed political action committee. Instead, it highlights the recent delivery of mailers with election information to voters.

Journalists know that attribution is the glue to remain credible and trusted.

In a Feb. 9 conversation with Taylor about his race, he answered to Sandhills News that he had used his own funds to pay for the mailers when asked about financial support from the Lee GOP. The questions arose from Taylor’s query about his opponent’s spouse, the former chairman of the Lee GOP, Jim Womack. Read about that interaction here.

CMN writes, “Taylor has benefited from a wave of outside spending tied to the American Conservative Fund, a PAC with no longstanding roots in North Carolina.”

When in fact, the North Carolina State Board of Elections disclosure records reveal Taylor has independently funded his campaign with $25,000, as seen here.

Transparency USA shows Taylor has earned the trust and support of local business owners and longtime residents with contributions totaling $39,639.51. View here.

Furthermore, CMN shares a paragraph about Taylor’s opponent in the House 51 race, Sherry Womack, to present her qualifications, but only introduces Taylor as a Sanford City Councilman.

CMN’s “About” page reads, “Citizen Media News (CMN) is a grassroots broadcasting, marketing, PR, & media platform for conservative citizen leaders, activists, & readers.

CMN has available in-house conservative writers, photographers, videographers, PR, & social media experts to help get your message to the citizens every step of the way.”

The proof of the propaganda pudding rests at the end of the Feb. 27 article with a link to CMN’s endorsement for Sherry Womack.

Sandhills News does not endorse candidates.

When readers want honest, balanced and family-friendly news, they can count on Sandhills News.

March 1, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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