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'I was really stunned.' Chatham County candidates received homophobic, racist texts and threats

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is looking into a number of racist and homophobic threats and slurs sent to candidates in Chatham County.

Posted Updated

By
Julian Grace
, WRAL anchor/reporter
SILER CITY, N.C. — The North Carolina State Board of Elections is looking into a number of racist and homophobic threats and slurs sent to candidates in Chatham County. The threats were directed to a mayoral candidate in Siler City and a County Commissioner contender.

Both candidates said they're determined to serve the people who live in the community and the threatening text messages will not stop their efforts.

One of the texts sent to Rev. Albert Reddick, who is a county commissioner candidate, showed an image of a gorilla in a noose.

"I was really stunned in terms of the sickness behind it and trying to grapple with it," said Reddick.

Reddick said he took the images straight to the Siler City Police Department and filed a police report.

"After thought and prayer and deliberation, we decided to file a complaint," said Reddick. "We need to speak to it and let them know we are not afraid of them, but we are fearful for our life."

Just a couple of blocks away, mayoral candidate Nick Gallardo said he's also been threatened through text messages.

"Sometimes I drive at night and I do get followed and my heart starts moving a little," said Gallardo.

Gallardo said he's received close to 100 homophobic text messages and images.

"I was shocked and surprised at the same time," he said.

Gallardo said he thinks he knows why he's received the offensive messages.

"One of my running mates is gay. We don't feel comfortable disclosing who that is. It is not my business to do that," said Gallardo.

Gallardo said he didn't file a police report for the threatening messages. He cited some in the community saying it wouldn't make a difference.

But, Gallardo said that is the reason he is staying in the race.

"I'm more ready to lead these people into change," he said.

Rev. Reddick said the images of this past weekend in Buffalo, New York, where 10 Black shoppers were killed at a supermarket by a gunman in a hate crime, shows that racism needs to be confronted.

"If a person that sick can travel to Buffalo and kill 10 people, they can do the same thing to me here," said Reddick.

WRAL News called the number the text messages were sent from and did not get a response. The Siler City Police Department also did not respond to WRAL News' request for further information about the investigation.

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