Politics
Registered sex offender gave opening prayer at Michael Whatley campaign stop
ABC News reports that a convicted pastor delivered a prayer at a rally for the North Carolina GOP Senate nominee.
The short version
- Pastor Daimon L. King, a registered sex offender, gave the opening prayer at an event for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley.[ABC News]
- Whatley's campaign stated that it did not plan the event or invite King, attributing the invitation to the Craven County Republican Party.[ABC News]
- Records show King served prison sentences after a 1998 conviction and a 2010 guilty plea for offenses involving minors.[ABC News]
Key facts
- Pastor Daimon L. King, a registered sex offender, delivered the opening prayer at an appearance for North Carolina Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley.[ABC News]
- Whatley's campaign stated that it did not organize the event or invite King, noting the Craven County Republican Party was responsible.[ABC News]
- King was convicted in 1998 and later pleaded guilty in 2010 to having sex with an underage female relative, serving state prison time for both cases.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which the controversy will alter Whatley's support among conservative voters remains unverified.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.