The North Carolina General Assembly, like many state legislatures, has its share of right-wing nutjobs. But most pale in comparison to Republican State Representative Larry Pittman, Republican from NC House District 83 (Cabarrus County).
In a late-night Facebook rant, Rep. Larry Pittman posted his ever-enlightening thoughts about Black Lives Matter, calling the movement’s supporters “vermin,” “terrorists” and “criminals” and encouraging police officers to “shoot them.” He also speculated that protesters are financed by George Soros and are “bent on destroying our country and our way of life.”
Larry Pittman is no stranger to right-wing extremism. This is the man who likes to explain why Abraham Lincoln was a lot like Hitler. When North Carolina’s same-sex marriage ban was struck down as unconstitutional, he sponsored a bill to defy the U.S. Supreme Court. He sponsors bills in every legislative session to do away with all permitting for concealed handguns and pistols. He supports arming teachers with loaded handguns in classrooms. And that barely even scratches the surface of Pittman’s monstrous brand of crazy.
And the kicker? Larry Pittman is also an ordained Christian pastor.
Here’s the good news: Pittman’s in trouble
This fall, Larry Pittman has his toughest race yet in Democratic challenger Gail Young.
Young ran against him in 2018 and lost by hair-thin margin. Since then, their district in Cabarrus County has seen a huge growth in newly registered voters who slant heavily leftward. We’re also approaching a major blue wave overall here in North Carolina.
If there was ever a year to fire Larry Pittman and his ilk, it’s now.
Gail Young is one of 13 candidates of the Long Leaf Pine Slate, our grassroots effort singularly focused on breaking the gerrymandered Republican majority in the North Carolina legislature. Check out our website (and our updates on Substack!) to learn more.
The Long Leaf Pine Slate is dedicated to breaking the Republican majority in the North Carolina General Assembly. Learn more about us at LongLeafPineslate.org and follow us on Twitter at @ForwardCarolina.
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