Bob Davis said on Friday that he is not behind a campaign card supporting a roster of state and local candidates.
But Davis, who is seeking re-election as a county commissioner, said the perception that he paid for the card is damaging his campaign. He faces Ken Haney in Tuesday’s primary to represent the Williamson township.
The handout, which is slightly bigger than a business card, urges voters to support Clarence McPhatter, John Alford, Bob Davis and Daniel Dockery for county commissioners. Also listed on the card are Althea Poole for register of deeds, Gene McLaurin for state Senate and Bob Etheridge for governor.
Listed at the bottom of the card are the words: “Paid for by the Committee to Elect Robert “Bob” Davis.”
Davis said his campaign did not purchase the cards. He said campaign operative Polly “Fireball” Bridges is responsible for the handouts.
“I haven’t had anything to do with those cards,” Davis said. “I have my own cards that I pass out. Some of the supporters of Whit Gibson and Debra Holcomb may think I'm supporting other people when I am not. That kind of misinformation could hurt my campaign.”
Davis said he asked Bridges to help with his campaign two months ago and she listed him along with other candidates that she is assisting this year.
“I’m not endorsing every person on that card,” he said. “I’m supporting Gene McLaurin, John Alford, and Clarence McPhatter and myself. No one else on that card has my support.”
Bridges, who describes herself as a political activist, said there was a mix-up at the printers. She said the card initially listed her as having paid for them. She said an additional set of 1,000 cards incorrectly said they were paid for by the Davis campaign.
“It is my slate,” she said. “Just because the names are on there doesn’t mean that everyone that I’m supporting is supporting each other.”
Andrew Sledge, the print shop owner, has provided the Scotland County Board of Elections with a letter stating that Bridges paid cash for the cards on April 23.
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