(JD) Wooten IV NC State Senate (SD 24) Background Research Report

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John (JD) Wooten IV NC State Senate (SD 24) Background Research Report

May 2020

1415 L Street #1260, Sacramento, CA 95814 SD 24 – JD Wooten 5/27/2020 Version

Summary of Chapters

SECTION A: BACKGROUND & PUBLIC RECORDS ...... 11 A.1 – General Background ...... 12 A.2 – Social Media/Internet Video Profile ...... 16 A.3 – Voter Registration, Voting History & SD 24 Residency Issues ...... 18 A.4 – SEIs & Business Filings ...... 30 A.5 – Property Records – Wooten only Owns Property Outside of SD 24 ...... 34 A.6 – Other Public Records ...... 43 A.7 – Record as an Attorney / 2018 Allegations of Representing Illegal Immigrants ...... 47

SECTION B: POLITICAL HISTORY ...... 61 B.1 – Summary of Wooten’s 2020 SD 24 Campaign ...... 62 B.2 – Wooten’s 2020 Campaign Is Part of Democratic Efforts to Flip the NC Senate ...... 66 B.3 – Wooten Unsuccessfully Ran for Senate in 2018 – to Break the GOP’s Supermajority ...... 70 B.4 – Supported by Liberal Super PACs from California and Massachusetts ...... 72 B.5 – Summary of Campaign Contributions Made to Others – $3,480 to Democrats ...... 78 B.6 – Contributed to Biden, Harris, O’Rourke & Buttigieg 2020 Presidential Campaigns...... 84 B.7 – Wooten Is a Partisan Anti-Trump Democrat ...... 91 B.8 – Other Political History ...... 95

SECTION C: TAX, FISCAL & MEDICAID EXPANSION ISSUES ...... 97 C.1 – Criticized Prior NC Tax Cuts & Called for “Trying to Find More Money” ...... 98 C.2 – Praised Ultra-Liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tax Policy ...... 100 C.3 – Support for Medicaid Expansion ...... 104 C.4 – Opposition to North Carolina Having a 2020 State Budget ...... 111

SECTION D: IMMIGRATION & VOTER ID ISSUES ...... 114 D.1 – Opposed the 2018 Voter ID Constitutional Amendment ...... 115 D.2 – Other Immigration Issues ...... 117

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SECTION E: OTHER ISSUES ...... 124 E.1 – Opposes “Burning Fossil Fuels” ...... 125 E.2 – Ties to Environmental Groups that Support the Green New Deal ...... 126 E.3 – Contributions from Trial Lawyers ...... 133 E.4 – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood / Abortion Issues ...... 140 E.5 – LGTB Issues...... 143 E.6 – Opposition to Education Reform ...... 146 E.7 – Ties to NC Association of Educators, which Opposed Key GOP State Legislation ...... 149 E.8 – Drug Legalization / Public Safety ...... 152 E.9 – Opposition to Trade War with China ...... 158

APPENDIX A: Contributions Made to Others ...... 159 APPENDIX B: “JD Wooten IV’s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test),” VoteSmart.org .... 162

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Narrative Table of Contents

SECTION A: BACKGROUND & PUBLIC RECORDS ...... 11 A.1 – General Background ...... 12 Identifying Information – Born in 1985; Resides in McLeansville, NC ...... 12 Campaign Biography – Wooten Is an Intellectual Property Attorney and Air Force Veteran ...... 12 Law Firm Biography – Wooten Practices in Law Firm Womble Bond Dickinson’s Intellectual Property Group...... 13 Professional and Political Timeline – Previously Ran for SD 24 in 2018 and Lost ...... 13 Military Service Records Received from the Department of the Air Force Confirm that Wooten Graduated from the Air Force Academy, Served Active Duty for Five Years as a “Commander’s Action Office,” Retired as a Captain, and Received Several Medals ...... 14 A.2 – Social Media/Internet Video Profile ...... 16 Summary of Social Media Accounts ...... 16 Summary of Online Videos about/Featuring Wooten ...... 16 A.3 – Voter Registration, Voting History & SD 24 Residency Issues ...... 18 State Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Is Currently Registered as a Democrat, Has Been Registered to Vote in Guilford County since August 2016, Was Registered in Wake County from 2004- 2016, and Has Voted as a Democrat (2017-Present) and as a Republican (2016) ...... 18 State Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Has Voted in Seven of Eight Presidential Preference Primary Elections, Primary Elections, and General Elections since November 2012 – Wooten Only Voted in One Statewide Election in North Carolina Prior to November 2012 while He Was Serving in the U.S. Air Force ...... 20 Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Registered at His Current Address (4817 Redland Ct.) in October 2019 – Address Is Located in SD 24, but Wooten Does Not Own this Property ...... 20 Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Was Registered at Two Prior Addresses (1607 Hargrove Dr. and 6761 Cobble Creek Rd., Apt. 2D) during 2018 while He Ran for SD 24 the First Time – Addresses Are in SD 24 but Wooten Does Not Own Either Property ...... 22 Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Was Registered at a Prior Address (204 Wilson St.) during 2016-2017 – Address Is Not in SD 24 and Wooten Has Owned this Property since January 2017...... 27 Wake County Board of Elections – Search for Records Pending ...... 29 A.4 – SEIs & Business Filings ...... 30 Statements of Economic Interest (SEIs) – Wooten Has Filed SEIs as a Candidate for SD 24 in 2018 and 2020 ...... 30

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On His 2020 Candidate SEI, Wooten Disclosed Owning Property, His Law Firm Salary, and One Non- Profit Affiliation ...... 30 Summary of Business Filings – Wooten Has Been an Officer of One Dissolved Company ...... 33 A.5 – Property Records – Wooten only Owns Property Outside of SD 24 ...... 34 Current Property Ownership – Wooten Owns Two Residential Properties in Guilford County which He Purchased in January 2017 and March 2019; No Delinquent Property Tax Payments ...... 34 Neither of the Properties that Wooten Currently Owns Are Located in SD 24 ...... 38 Wooten May Have Violated the Terms of the $165,000 VA Loan He Received to Purchase Property in Guilford County in March 2019 – the Loan Required Wooten to Occupy the Property for at Least One Year as His Principal Residence but He Registered to Vote at a Different Address in October 2019 ..... 40 A.6 – Other Public Records ...... 43 Summary of Recorded Document Searches – No Tax Liens, Civil Judgments, Mortgage Defaults, or Foreclosures Have Been Filed against Wooten and His Affiliated Company ...... 43 Summary of Civil/Bankruptcy Court Searches – No Cases Found in which Wooten or His Affiliated Company Appear as a Party ...... 43 Summary of Criminal/Traffic Court Searches – No Cases Found in which Wooten Appears as a Defendant...... 45 Driving Record – Wooten Has an Active License with No Suspensions, Restrictions, Violations, or Accidents ...... 45 Other Searches – No Results ...... 46 A.7 – Record as an Attorney / 2018 Allegations of Representing Illegal Immigrants ...... 47 State Bar Record – Wooten Has an Active License to Practice Law in North Carolina and Has Been Licensed in the State since 2016; No Disciplinary Orders Pertaining to Wooten ...... 47 Wooten Is an Attorney at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP and Is a Member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Group Specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Matters ...... 48 Summary of Cases – Wooten Appears as Attorney of Record in 12 Federal Civil Cases, Nine of which Involve Patent Infringement or Trademark Infringement Claims ...... 50 Since December 2019, Wooten Has Been Representing a Plaintiff in a Case Filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Case Filed to Reverse a USDA Decision to Withdraw a Food Store’s Authorization to Participate as a Retailer in the Food Stamp (SNAP) Program ...... 52 During His 2018 Campaign for State Senate, Wooten Said that Republican Ads Run against Him Were “Libelous,” “Defamatory,” “Malicious,” and “Illegal” – the Ads Called Wooten a “Lawyer Who Specializes in Helping Illegal Aliens Avoid Deportation and Stay in Our Country Illegally” ...... 54 In April 2017, Womble Bond Dickinson Posted an Item to the Company Website Appearing to Show that Wooten May Have Provided Certain Pro Bono Legal Services to Illegal Immigrants Facing Deportation ...... 57

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Womble Bond Dickinson Has an Immigration Services Business Unit that Specializes in “Permanent Residency and Citizenship Applications” and “Personalized, Customizable Immigration Assistance for Key Individuals” ...... 58 SECTION B: POLITICAL HISTORY ...... 61 B.1 – Summary of Wooten’s 2020 SD 24 Campaign ...... 62 Wooten Is a Qualified Candidate for NC Senate District 24 in the November 3, 2020 Election – Running as a Democrat...... 62 In December 2019, the Burlington Times-News Listed Wooten as a Filed Candidate for SD 24 – the Article Described Wooten as an “Air Force Veteran and Greensboro Lawyer” ...... 62 Wooten Has a 2020 Campaign Website, jdwooten.com – Including an Issues Page with His Positions on “Equality for All,” “Stellar Education,” “Responsible Economic Development,” and “Access to Affordable Healthcare” ...... 63 Wooten’s 2020 Campaign Website Features Endorsements from Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club of NC, Equality NC, and Swing Left ...... 64 Campaign Finance Summary – In His Most Recent 2020 Campaign Finance Filing Covering January 1, 2020 through February 15, 2020, Wooten Reported Raising $9,008 and Ending the Period with $16,452 Cash on Hand ...... 65 B.2 – Wooten’s 2020 Campaign Is Part of Democratic Efforts to Flip the NC Senate ...... 66 In October 2019, Wooten Tweeted, “We Need to Flip 5 Seats to Take the Majority” and Provided a Link to His Campaign Website ...... 66 On December 5, 2019, Wooten Tweeted “We Can Flip Senate District 24 and Take the Majority” ...... 67 The Progressive Group Swing Left, Whose Primary Objectives Include “Breaking Republican Control of the State Legislature,” Lists SD 24/Wooten as a Targeted Race ...... 67 The Organization Real Facts NC Published a Report Looking at Competitive Races for the North Carolina State Senate – the Report Listed SD 24 as a Competitive Seat ...... 68 B.3 – Wooten Unsuccessfully Ran for Senate in 2018 – to Break the GOP’s Supermajority ...... 70 In February 2018, Wooten Tweeted that He Filed for SD 24 “to Help Break the GOP Supermajority in the General Assembly” ...... 70 In April 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Help Us Flip this Seat and Break the GOP Supermajority!!” ...... 70 An October 2018 Wooten Fundraiser Website Described SD 24 as a Target District of State-Wide Coordinated Efforts to “Break the GOP Supermajority” ...... 71 B.4 – Supported by Liberal Super PACs from California and Massachusetts ...... 72 One Vote at a Time, an Anti-Gun Super PAC, Made a $1,930 In-Kind Contribution to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – One Vote at a Time Is a California-Based Super PAC that Is Funded Heavily by Hollywood Special Interests ...... 72 Only If You Run, a Massachusetts-Based Progressive PAC, Contributed $5,000 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign ...... 75

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B.5 – Summary of Campaign Contributions Made to Others – $3,480 to Democrats ...... 78 Summary of Searches – Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $3,480 to Other Candidates and Committees at the NC State and Federal Levels ...... 78 Federal-Level Contributions – Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $1,405 to Democratic Candidates and Committees; No Contributions to Republicans ...... 78 State-Level Contributions – Wooten Has Contributed $2,075 to Democratic Candidates and Committees; No Contributions Made to Republicans ...... 81 B.6 – Contributed to Biden, Harris, O’Rourke & Buttigieg 2020 Presidential Campaigns...... 84 Summary of Contributions to Democratic Presidential Campaigns – Wooten Contributed a Total of $440 to Democratic Presidential Campaigns in 2019 and 2020 ...... 84 Wooten Contributed a Total of $60 to Beto O’Rourke’s Presidential Campaign ...... 84 In April 2019 on Instagram, Wooten Posted a Picture of the Line at a Beto O’Rourke Campaign Event in Greensboro, NC ...... 85 In 2019, O’Rourke Proposed a Plan to Institute a “Mandatory Buyback” of Firearms and Advocated Government Confiscation of Privately Owned Firearms by Stating, “Hell, Yes, We're Going to Take Your AR-15”...... 86 Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $280 to Joe Biden’s Presidential Campaign ...... 87 Wooten Contributed $25 to Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign ...... 89 In 2019, Harris Proposed a “Medicare for All” Plan – the Plan Would Be Paid for through “New Taxes” but “Among the Unanswered Questions in Harris’ Plan: How Much Will the Plan Ultimately Cost, and Will those Tax Hikes Cover It?” ...... 89 Wooten Contributed a Total of $75 to Pete Buttigieg’s Presidential Campaign ...... 90 B.7 – Wooten Is a Partisan Anti-Trump Democrat ...... 91 Wooten Regularly Praises Governor Roy Cooper – for Example, in November 2018, Wooten Posted a Picture of Himself with Governor Cooper Stating “Huge Thanks to Gov. Cooper for All His Support” ...... 91 Wooten Regularly Criticizes Republicans and Has Negative Comments about Republicans on Social Media – for Example, in December 2018, Wooten Tweeted a Washington Post Article Titled, “Researchers Have Found Strong Evidence that Racism Helps the GOP Win” ...... 91 In 2019, Wooten Called for Lt. Gov. Forest to Resign for “Emulating Trump,” “Attack[ing] Diversity and Multiculturalism,” and “Repugnant Discrimination” ...... 92 Wooten Blamed President Trump for the December 2018 Government Shutdown by Calling It the “Trump Shutdown” ...... 92 In October 2018, Former Obama Administration Attorney General Eric Holder Headlined a “Break the Majority” Canvassing Event to Benefit Wooten ...... 93 B.8 – Other Political History ...... 95 Campaign Expenditures Paid to Wooten – No Results ...... 95

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North Carolina State-Level Lobbyist Registration – No Results ...... 95 Federal-Level Lobbyist Registration – No Results ...... 96 North Carolina State Ethics Commission – No Results ...... 96 SECTION C: TAX, FISCAL & MEDICAID EXPANSION ISSUES ...... 97 C.1 – Criticized Prior NC Tax Cuts & Called for “Trying to Find More Money” ...... 98 In an October 2018 Interview, Wooten Criticized the Corporate Tax Cuts Passed by Legislative Republicans – Wooten Called for “Trying to Find More Money from Corporate and the Wealthy” to Fund Education Programs ...... 98 C.2 – Praised Ultra-Liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tax Policy ...... 100 In 2019 on Facebook, Wooten Linked a Column by New York Times’ Paul Krugman about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Views on Tax Policy – Wooten Called the Column “Amazing,” Called Ocasio-Cortez the “Smart Gal in the Class” as She Advocated a 70-80% Tax Rate, and Said “Rock on Ms. Ocasio- Cortez” ...... 100 In 2019, Bloomberg Businessweek Called Ocasio-Cortez “the Darling of the Left” – Ocasio-Cortez Has Proposed 70% Tax Rates, Medicare for All, Abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Military Spending Cuts, and Stronger Gun Control Laws ...... 101 In 2019, NPR Reported that Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Was “A Massive Policy Package that Would Remake the U.S. Economy” – Cites “Lofty Goals,” Such as a Guaranteed Job “with a Family Sustaining Wage, Adequate Family and Medical Leave, Paid Vacations and Retirement Security” and Health Care for Every American ...... 102 C.3 – Support for Medicaid Expansion ...... 104 On His 2020 Campaign Website, Wooten States, “We Must Expand Medicaid” and Have “Access to Affordable Healthcare” ...... 104 In August 2018, Wooten Criticized His Opponent, GOP State Senator Rick Gunn for Blocking Medicaid Expansion ...... 104 During His 2018 Campaign for State Senate, Wooten Released a Campaign Ad Blasting His GOP Opponent for Opposing Medicaid Expansion ...... 105 Democratic State Senator Wiley Nickel Contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2020 State Senate Campaign – in February 2019, State Senator Nickel Co-Sponsored a Bill to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina ...... 106 In June 2019, Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger Criticized Medicaid Expansion as a “Mistake that Not Only Will Fail to Solve the Problems Its Proponents Claim It Solves, but Will Create New Problems”...... 107 In July 2019, Americans for Tax Reform Vice President Patrick Gleason Wrote that Governor Cooper’s Proposal to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina “Would Cost $6 Billion over the Next Two Years” and Would “Necessitate Tax Hikes” ...... 109 In January 2020, the Conservative John Locke Foundation Found that “Medicaid Expansion Would Cost North Carolina an Estimated $6 Billion” and Would Force State Government to “Increase Taxes, or Divert Resources from Education, Transportation, and Other Essential Parts of the Budget” ...... 110

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C.4 – Opposition to North Carolina Having a 2020 State Budget ...... 111 In October 2019, Wooten Praised Senate Democrats for Having the Votes to Sustain Governor Roy Cooper’s Veto of the State Budget and Prevent North Carolina from Having a State Budget ...... 111 In a January 2020 Editorial, the Raleigh News & Observer Criticized the Current Budget Standoff, Noting that North Carolina’s Inability to Agree on a Budget Was Hurting Efforts to Give Raises to Teachers and Provide Affordable Housing to Low Income and Disabled North Carolinians...... 112 SECTION D: IMMIGRATION & VOTER ID ISSUES ...... 114 D.1 – Opposed the 2018 Voter ID Constitutional Amendment ...... 115 In March 2020, the DLCC Twitter Account Asked Wooten for Policies to Make Voting Safer and More Accessible during the Coronavirus Epidemic – Wooten Called for Repeal of Voter ID Requirements 115 In June 2018, Wooten Criticized Republican Plans for a Constitutional Amendment Instituting Voter ID – Wooten Stated, “Voter ID Is Back in North Carolina, and the Justifications Are as Lame as Ever”.. 115 D.2 – Other Immigration Issues ...... 117 In June 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Separating Migrant Families Is a Human Rights Violation” and Compared the Trump Administration’s Separation Policy to Slavery and Torture ...... 117 During the December 2018 Government Shutdown, Wooten Retweeted Several Democratic Members of Congress Opposing the Funding of a U.S. Border Wall ...... 118 In July 2019, Wooten Tweeted a Quote from a New York Times Article Saying It Was a Victory that the Trump Administration Abandoned Its Efforts to Include a Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census120 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support the Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws by State and Local Police?” ...... 121 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “Yes” to the Question “Should Immigrants Unlawfully Present in the United States Who Graduate from North Carolina High Schools Be Eligible for In-State Tuition at Public Universities?” ...... 122 SECTION E: OTHER ISSUES ...... 124 E.1 – Opposes “Burning Fossil Fuels” ...... 125 In December 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Is Burning Fossil Fuels Really Worth 96% Extinction Rate?” .. 125 E.2 – Ties to Environmental Groups that Support the Green New Deal ...... 126 The Sierra Club Has Endorsed Wooten for His 2020 State Senate Campaign ...... 126 The Sierra Club Endorsed the Green New Deal Calling It a “Bold Plan” to “Tackle the Climate Crisis” – the Sierra Club Brags that It Is “Mobilizing Its More than 3.5 Million Members” to Pass the Green New Deal ...... 126 The Green New Deal Plan Proposed by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 Includes a Medicare for All Single Payer Healthcare Program, among Other Components ...... 127

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In February 2019, the Washington Free Beacon Reported that the Green New Deal Could Cost Up to $94.4 Trillion over 10 Years – Costing Each Household in the U.S. more than $600,000 ...... 128 Sen. Bernie Sanders Proposed Paying for the Green New Deal by Increasing Taxes by Trillions of Dollars – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Proposed a 70% Wealth Tax to Pay for the Green New Deal ...... 129 Environmental Group Megadonor Fred Stanback Contributed $5,400 to Wooten’s 2020 State Senate Campaigns ...... 131 E.3 – Contributions from Trial Lawyers ...... 133 NC Advocates for Justice Contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – NC Advocates for Justice Is the State’s Trial Lawyer Association ...... 133 Individual Trial Lawyers Have Contributed a Total of $2,000 to Wooten’s State Senate Campaigns in 2018 and 2020 ...... 133 E.4 – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood / Abortion Issues ...... 140 According to His 2020 Campaign Website, Wooten Has Been Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic ...... 140 The Planned Parenthood Action Fund Website Lists Wooten as One of Its “North Carolina Endorsed Candidates” Who “Can Be Counted on to Stand up to Ensure Access to…Legal Abortion” ...... 140 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support the Prohibition of Public Funds for Organizations that Perform Abortions?” ...... 141 E.5 – LGTB Issues...... 143 Equality NC, a Pro-LGTB Org, Endorsed Wooten for His 2018 and 2020 State Senate Campaigns .... 143 In an October 2018 Facebook Post, Wooten Praised a Federal Court Decision to Allow Transgender People to Use Public Facilities ...... 144 E.6 – Opposition to Education Reform ...... 146 In May 2020, Wooten Filled Out the Candidate Questionnaire for the Organization “Public Schools First NC” ...... 146 On the “Public Schools First NC” Questionnaire, Wooten Supported “a Moratorium on New Charter Schools” ...... 146 On the “Public Schools First NC” Questionnaire, Wooten Supported “Phasing Out School Vouchers for Private Schools” ...... 147 E.7 – Ties to NC Association of Educators, which Opposed Key GOP State Legislation ...... 149 The North Carolina Association of Educators Contributed $200 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign ...... 149 In 2018, North Carolina Association of Educators President Mark Jewel Opposed the North Carolina Bathroom Bill which Preempted Local Protections for LGBTQ People – Jewel Called the Bill Discriminatory ...... 149

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The North Carolina Association of Educators Is a State Affiliate of the National Education Association – in October 2015, NCAE Unanimously Supported the NEA’s Endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President ...... 150 In March 2020, the National Education Association Endorsed Joe Biden for President ...... 151 E.8 – Drug Legalization / Public Safety ...... 152 In March 2020, the DLCC Twitter Account Asked Wooten What Criminal Justice Policies Need to Be Enacted – In Response, Wooten Called for the State to “Reassess Criminalization” of Drug Offenses152 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “Yes” to the Question “Do You Support the Legalization of Marijuana for Recreational Purposes?” ...... 152 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support Requiring Welfare Applicants to Pass a Drug Test in Order to Receive Benefits?” ...... 154 According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support Capital Punishment for Certain Crimes?” ...... 155 Robert Elliot Contributed $250 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – Robert Elliot Is a Partner at EMP Law and Has Represented Guantanamo Bay Prisoners, Including a High-Ranking Official with the Taliban ...... 156 E.9 – Opposition to Trade War with China ...... 158 In August 2018, Wooten Tweeted, “Trump’s Trade War Is Hurting Car and Motorcycle Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Companies, and Even Toy Manufacturing” ...... 158 APPENDIX A: Contributions Made to Others ...... 159 APPENDIX B: “JD Wooten IV’s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test),” VoteSmart.org .... 162

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SECTION A: BACKGROUND & PUBLIC RECORDS

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A.1 – General Background

Identifying Information – Born in 1985; Resides in McLeansville, NC

Name: John David “JD” Wooten IV

DOB: April 30, 1985

Residence: 4817 Redland Ct. McLeansville, NC 27301

Campaign Biography – Wooten Is an Intellectual Property Attorney and Air Force Veteran

The biography shown below is from Wooten’s campaign website. In this biography, Wooten describes himself as an intellectual property attorney and Air Force veteran.

JD Wooten is an intellectual property attorney and former U.S. Air Force officer and engineer. He was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy by U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and U.S. Representative David Price and received his appointment in 2003. While at the Academy, JD earned his parachute wings, commanded Cadet Squadron 40, raced for the USAFA Cycling Team, and studied aeronautical engineering. He was a 2007 Rhodes Scholar nominee and recipient of the Gladys Noon Spellman Fellowship Award to attend the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. At UMD he earned a Masters of Public Policy in International Security and Economic Policy.

While on active duty, JD first served as an engineer and program manager for the Situation Awareness Data Link, an air to ground radio system used extensively in close air support and homeland defense missions. He later served as the Commander's Action Officer to Lt. Gen. CR Davis, managing all communications on behalf of General Davis for his +9,000 person, $5 billion per year organization operating from 28 international locations. JD also had the privilege to serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Patriot Honor Guard where he performed 108 military funerals and oversaw more than 1,200 funerals per year throughout New England.

After a decade of service, JD left active duty to attend Wake Forest University School of Law. Upon graduation, JD joined the intellectual property group at Womble Bond Dickinson where he helps clients secure and protect their creative rights through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. JD's primary focus is on patent and trademark litigation in federal courts. JD's family has called North Carolina home for over twenty generations, and they are proud to still call North Carolina home today. “My Background,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/20/2020)

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Law Firm Biography – Wooten Practices in Law Firm Womble Bond Dickinson’s Intellectual Property Group

The biography shown below is from Womble Bond Dickinson, the law firm where Wooten works.

JD is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group where he assists clients in securing and protecting their creative rights in patent, trademark and copyright matters with a focus on civil litigation and other forms of IP enforcement. JD enjoys assisting clients – from entrepreneurial start-ups through large, established corporations – protect and leverage their intellectual property rights and assets through effective and aggressive legal action.

Before law school, JD served in the US Air Force as a defense acquisitions program manager and engineer. His active duty experience included various management and engineering roles and culminated as a staff officer to the Commander of the Electronic Systems Center. In this capacity, he was responsible for assisting the general in all internal and external communications to manage a 9,000- person organization with 150 defense programs and a $5 billion annual budget. JD also served as an honor guardsman during this time, overseeing a team responsible for providing final military funeral honors for over 1,000 fallen service members and veterans per year throughout New England, and personally participating in many of those services as well. “JD Wooten,” Womble Bond Dickinson (accessed on 5/20/2020)

Professional and Political Timeline – Previously Ran for SD 24 in 2018 and Lost

The following timeline provides dates for events that can be confirmed.

• 2003-September 2012 – US Air Force Academy and Air Force: Wooten received a B.S in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force after graduating from the Academy. (“J.D. Wooten seeks District 24 seat in N.C. Senate,” Greensboro News & Record, February 27, 2018; “JD Wooten,” linkedin.com)

• 2012-2015 – Wake Forest University School of Law: Wooten received a J.D. degree. (“JD Wooten,” linkedin.com)

• August 2015-present – Womble Bond Dickinson: Wooten is an attorney in the firm’s intellectual property group. (“JD Wooten,” Womble Bond Dickinson; “JD Wooten,” linkedin.com)

• 2018 – Ran for State Senate: Wooten ran unsuccessfully for the North Carolina 24th Senate District in 2018. (“J.D. Wooten seeks District 24 seat in N.C. Senate,” Greensboro News & Record, February 27, 2018; “Update: Incumbent Rick Gunn edges out challenger J.D. Wooten,” Burlington Times-News, November 6, 2018)

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Military Service Records Received from the Department of the Air Force Confirm that Wooten Graduated from the Air Force Academy, Served Active Duty for Five Years as a “Commander’s Action Office,” Retired as a Captain, and Received Several Medals

Military service records received from the Department of the Air Force confirm that Wooten graduated from the Air Force Academy and then served for another five years of active duty in U.S. Air Force. The records also confirm that Wooten retired as a captain, spent his entire active duty serving as a “commander’s action officer,” and received several medals. Images of these service records are shown below.

John David Wooten IV, DD Form 214, Department of the Air Force, October 3, 2012

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John David Wooten IV, Correction to DD Form 214, Department of the Air Force, May 7, 2013

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A.2 – Social Media/Internet Video Profile

Summary of Social Media Accounts

The following table summarizes Wooten’s personal and campaign social media accounts.

SUMMARY OF JOHN (JD) WOOTEN’S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS Type Account Name Hyperlink Personal JD Wooten facebook.com/jd.wooten.iv Facebook Campaign JD Wooten for NC Senate facebook.com/JDWootenNC Facebook @JDWootenNC LinkedIn JD Wooten linkedin.com/in/jdwooten Instagram JD Wooten instagram.com/jdwooten Twitter JD Wooten twitter.com/jdwootennc @JDWootenNC YouTube JD Wooten youtube.com/channel/UCThf4jy5P8o1SiK5hBxTAwg

There is a public group on Facebook titled “Social Media Promoters - JD Wooten for NC Senate” that is administered by “Stefanie Sesame Milovic.” The group’s description states that “our social media promoters are key to sharing JD's most important information and getting his name out there!” (“Social Media Promoters - JD Wooten for NC Senate,” facebook.com)

Social media posts of interest are included in subsequent chapters of this report.

Summary of Online Videos about/Featuring Wooten

The following table is a selection of videos involving Wooten. The table only included videos where, based on the title, he discussed policy or endorsements.

VIDEOS – JOHN (JD) WOOTEN Video Title (with Embedded Hyperlink) Source Name of Date Notes Author/Blogger (if applicable) The Three Ts to Reopening NC: Testing, YouTube JD Wooten 4/22/2020 This video is of Wooten discussing the Tracing, & Trends pandemic response. He warns that to open North Carolina “too early is irresponsible.” He adds that “if we don’t stay the course long enough, our situation will get much worse, not better,” and adds “the statewide stay-at-home order is working.” He says that he supports Governor Cooper’s response to the virus.

This video was also posted on Wooten’s campaign Facebook page. Congrats USAFA Class of 2020! Facebook JD Wooten for 4/18/2020 This video is of Wooten congratulating the Senate graduating class of the US Air Force Academy. Stay Home, Stay Safe YouTube JD Wooten 4/13/2020 This video is of Wooten thanking essential workers and people for staying home in response to the Covid pandemic.

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Video Title (with Embedded Hyperlink) Source Name of Date Notes Author/Blogger (if applicable) Happy Holidays! YouTube JD Wooten 12/18/2019 This video is of Wooten wishing his supporters Happy Holidays. How We Got Here & Where We're Going - YouTube JD Wooten 12/7/2019 This is a video of Wooten discussing his Part 3 professional background after leaving the military. He explains that he is an attorney specializing in intellectual property.

This video was also posted on Wooten’s campaign Facebook page. How We Got Here YouTube JD Wooten 10/4/2019 This is a video of Wooten talking about his background and ties to North Carolina. He also discusses his experience in the Air Force.

This video was also posted on Wooten’s campaign Facebook page. Where We're Going YouTube JD Wooten 8/29/2019 This video is of Wooten talking about his 2018 Senate run and how well he performed in comparison to previous Democratic candidates. He adds that he is better prepared for the 2020 campaign with increased name ID and campaign funding.

This video was also posted on Wooten’s campaign Facebook page. Announcement Facebook JD Wooten for 5/13/2019 This video is of Wooten announcing his Senate candidacy for state Senate. He explained that he chose to run because when he returned to North Carolina after serving in the Air Force, the state had changed and “a broken system of partisan bickering had taken hold in Raleigh, like in Washington.” He states that he wants to “create a North Carolina that takes care of everybody.” JD Wooten for State Senate YouTube One Vote At A Time 7/30/2018 This is a video of Wooten talking about his military background and his decision to run in 2018. He says that he is running because the “General Assembly is failing us.” Meet Democrat JD Wooten running for NC WXII12 Bill O’Neil 10/16/2018 This video is a profile of Wooten as part of Senate 24th district. WXII12 News’ Decision 2018 coverage. In it, he says that he opposes corporate tax cuts and wants to see “more money from corporate and the wealthy to fund this education.” In response to differences between him and his opponent, he states that his opponent is focused on cutting business taxes and regulation. The reasoning he provides for increased taxes it out of concern that “you take taxes so low that you are no longer providing for the citizenry of North Carolina.” 2018 Council Banquet Keynote Speaker JD YouTube Old North State 3/28/2018 This video is of Wooten talking about his Wooten Council Boy Scouts experiences with the Boy Scouts and being an of America Eagle Scout.

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A.3 – Voter Registration, Voting History & SD 24 Residency Issues

State Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Is Currently Registered as a Democrat, Has Been Registered to Vote in Guilford County since August 2016, Was Registered in Wake County from 2004-2016, and Has Voted as a Democrat (2017-Present) and as a Republican (2016)

Records from the North Carolina State Board of Elections show:

• Wooten is currently registered to vote at 4817 Redland Court, McLeansville, NC 27301 (Guilford County), which is located within the boundaries of State Senate District 24. As noted in a subsequent section of this chapter, Wooten has been registered at this address since October 2019.

• Wooten has been registered to vote in Guilford County since August 2016. As noted in a subsequent section of this chapter, Wooten has changed his address in Guilford County several times since first registering in August 2016 in order to claim residency (and run for office) in the boundaries of State Senate District 24. As noted in a subsequent section of this chapter, he was registered in 2016-2017 at a property that he currently owns in Guilford County that is located in a different State Senate district (SD 28).

• Wooten was previously registered in Wake County from 2004-2016.

• Wooten is currently registered as a Democrat.

• Wooten has voted as a Democrat (2017-present) and as a Republican (2016).

The following images show the voter registration records from the North Carolina State Board of Elections pertaining to Wooten.

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John David Wooten IV, Voter Search, North Carolina State Board of Elections (image 1 of 2; accessed on 5/21/2020)

John David Wooten IV, Voter Search, North Carolina State Board of Elections (image 2 of 2; accessed on 5/21/2020)

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State Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Has Voted in Seven of Eight Presidential Preference Primary Elections, Primary Elections, and General Elections since November 2012 – Wooten Only Voted in One Statewide Election in North Carolina Prior to November 2012 while He Was Serving in the U.S. Air Force

North Carolina State Board of Elections records show that Wooten has voted in seven of eight presidential preference primary elections, primary elections, and general elections since November 2012. Wooten failed to vote in the May 2014 primary election.

North Carolina State Board of Elections records also show that Wooten only voted in one statewide election in North Carolina prior to November 2012 while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. As noted in a separate chapter of this report, Wooten ended his active duty military service in September 2012.

The following images show the voting history records from the North Carolina State Board of Elections pertaining to Wooten.

John David Wooten IV, Voter Search, North Carolina State Board of Elections (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Registered at His Current Address (4817 Redland Ct.) in October 2019 – Address Is Located in SD 24, but Wooten Does Not Own this Property

Guilford County Board of Elections records show that Wooten registered at his current address (4817 Redland Court) in October 2019.

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John David Wooten IV, North Carolina Voter Registration Application, Guilford County Board of Elections, October 16, 2019

4817 Redland Court is located in the boundaries of State Senate District 24.

John David Wooten IV, Voter Search, North Carolina State Board of Elections (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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Guildford County Tax Department records show that Wooten does not own 4817 Redland Court. The property is owned by US SFE Asset Company 1 LLC based in Austin, TX and appears to be a small rental property.

4817 Redland Ct, Building Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Was Registered at Two Prior Addresses (1607 Hargrove Dr. and 6761 Cobble Creek Rd., Apt. 2D) during 2018 while He Ran for SD 24 the First Time – Addresses Are in SD 24 but Wooten Does Not Own Either Property

Guilford County Board of Elections records show that Wooten was registered at two prior addresses (1607 Hargrove Drive and 6761 Cobble Creek Road, Apt. 2D) during 2018 while he ran for SD 24 the first time.

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John David Wooten IV, North Carolina Voter Registration Application, Guilford County Board of Elections, June 28, 2018

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John David Wooten IV, North Carolina Voter Registration Application, Guilford County Board of Elections, February 19, 2018

Searches of the “Find Your Legislators” page from the North Carolina General Assembly website found that 1607 Hargrove Drive and 6761 Cobble Creek Road, Apt. 2D are both located in the boundaries of State Senate District 24.

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1607 Hargrove Dr, McLeansville and 6761 Cobble Creek Rd, Whitsett, “Find Your Legislators,” ncleg.gov

Guildford County Tax Department records show that Wooten does not own 1607 Hargrove Drive or 6761 Cobble Creek Road. 1607 Hargrove Drive is owned by ARC Rental MSR I LLC based in New York, NY and appears to be a small rental property.

1607 Hargrove Dr, Building Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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6761 Cobble Creek Road, Apt. 2D is in a large apartment complex owned by Brightwood Crossing Apartments LLC based in High Point, NC (operating at 6798 Leaf Crest Drive in Guilford County).

6761 Cobble Creek Road, Whitsett, NC 27377, Google Maps (accessed on 5/21/2020)

6798 Leaf Crest Dr, Property Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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Guilford County Board of Elections Records Show that Wooten Was Registered at a Prior Address (204 Wilson St.) during 2016-2017 – Address Is Not in SD 24 and Wooten Has Owned this Property since January 2017

Guilford County Board of Elections records show that Wooten was registered at a prior address (204 Wilson Street) during 2016-2017.

John David Wooten IV, Voter Registration Card, Guilford County Board of Elections, January 10, 2017

John David Wooten IV, Request for Absentee Ballot, Guilford County Board of Elections, November 8, 2016 General Election

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Searches of the “Find Your Legislators” page from the North Carolina General Assembly website found that 204 Wilson Street is located in the boundaries of State Senate District 28 (not in SD 24 where Wooten ran in 2018 and is running again in 2020).

204 Wilson St, Greensboro, “Find Your Legislators,” ncleg.gov

Guildford County Tax Department records show that Wooten owns 204 Wilson Street and that he purchased this property in January 2017.

204 Wilson St, Property Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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Wake County Board of Elections – Search for Records Pending

An in-person search at the Wake County Board of Elections for voter registration and voting history records pertaining to Wooten is pending until further notice due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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A.4 – SEIs & Business Filings

Statements of Economic Interest (SEIs) – Wooten Has Filed SEIs as a Candidate for SD 24 in 2018 and 2020

The North Carolina State Ethics Commission’s website was searched for Statements of Economic Interest (SEI) for the filer name “John Wooten.” This search yielded two SEIs filed by Wooten as a candidate for SD 24 in 2018 and 2020. (“Search Filed SEIs,” ethics.ncsbe.gov)

STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST FILED BY JOHN (JD) WOOTEN Name of Position, Board, or Full Name of Filer Shown Type of Statement Date Signed Commission on Statement 2020 Candidate January 9, 2020 Candidate for NC State Senate John D Wooten IV 2018 Primary Election (May) April 10, 2018 Candidate for NC State Senate John David Wooten IV Source: North Carolina State Ethics Commission

On His 2020 Candidate SEI, Wooten Disclosed Owning Property, His Law Firm Salary, and One Non-Profit Affiliation

Wooten disclosed the following on his 2020 Candidate SEI – signed in January 2020.

Cover Page

The image below shows the top portion of the cover page for Wooten’s 2020 Candidate SEI (signed in January 2020). On this page, Wooten disclosed the following.

JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – COVER PAGE Current Employer Job Title Nature of Type of Business Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP Attorney Legal Services Source: John (JD) Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

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John Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Property Interests/Item 1.A: Ownership Interests in North Carolina Real Estate (Including Residence) with Market Value of $10,000 or More, as of December 31, 2019

Wooten disclosed the following information under Property Interests/Item 1.A of his 2020 Candidate SEI (signed in January 2020).

JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – PROPERTY INTERESTS/ITEM 1.A % Ownership Owner of Real Estate Interest Location by City Location by County John D Wooten IV (Self) 100 Greensboro Guilford Source: John (JD) Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Financial Interests/Item 5: Liabilities of $10,000 or More, Excluding Mortgage on Primary Residence, as of December 31, 2019

Wooten disclosed the following information under Financial Interests/Item 5 of his 2020 Candidate SEI (signed in January 2020).

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JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – FINANCIAL INTERESTS/ITEM 5 Name of Debtor Type of Creditor John D Wooten IV (Self) SoFi John D Wooten IV (Self) Commercial Bank Source: John (JD) Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Financial Interests/Item 6: Sources of Income of More than $5,000 Received during 2019

Wooten disclosed the following information under Financial Interests/Item 6 of his 2020 Candidate SEI (filed in January 2020).

JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – FINANCIAL INTERESTS/ITEM 6 Recipient of Income Name of Source Type of Business/ Type of Income Industry John D Wooten IV (Self) Womble Bond Dickinson Legal Services Salary (US) LLP Source: John (JD)Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Professional and Civic Relationships/Item 7(a): Officer, Employee, Contractor, or Lobbyist during 2019 for Non-Profit Organizations Operating in North Carolina

Wooten disclosed the following information under Financial Interests/Item 7(a) of his 2020 Candidate SEI (filed in January 2020).

JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – FINANCIAL INTERESTS/ITEM 7(A) Name of Person Position Name of Nonprofit Nature or Purpose of Corporation or Organization Organization John D Wooten IV (Self) Board Member Old North State Council BSA Boy Scout Executive Committee Source: John (JD)Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Professional and Civic Relationships/Item 10: Each Category of Legal Representation in which Attorney or Affiliated Law Firm Earned Legal Fees of More than $10,000 during 2019

Wooten disclosed the following information under Financial Interests/Item 10 of his 2020 Candidate SEI (filed in January 2020).

JOHN (JD) WOOTEN 2020 CANDIDATE SEI – FINANCIAL INTERESTS/ITEM 10 Category of Legal Representation Category of Legal Representation – Boxes Checked – Boxes Not Checked Administrative Admiralty Corporate Criminal Decedent’s Estates Environmental Insurance Labor Local Government Real Property Securities Tax

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Category of Legal Representation Category of Legal Representation – Boxes Checked – Boxes Not Checked Tort Litigation (including negligence) Utilities Regulation Other category not listed – All forms of general civil litigation Source: John (JD)Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

Summary of Business Filings – Wooten Has Been an Officer of One Dissolved Company

The North Carolina Secretary of State business registration database and Nexis corporation filings were searched for companies with officers named “John Wooten.”

These searches yielded the following one inactive (dissolved) company detailed in the following table.

BUSINESS FILINGS SEARCH RESULTS – JOHN (JD) WOOTEN City, State [NC Officer Name Position/Affiliation Company Name [Purpose] County] Notes/SEI Reporting Status John David Officer Wooten & Sons Investments, Raleigh, NC Formed 3/21/2008 Wooten IV LLC [Wake] Dissolved 5/23/2013 [Investments in Stocks and Securities] Not reported in 2020 SEI Source: North Carolina Secretary of State, Nexis Corporation Filings

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A.5 – Property Records – Wooten only Owns Property Outside of SD 24

Current Property Ownership – Wooten Owns Two Residential Properties in Guilford County which He Purchased in January 2017 and March 2019; No Delinquent Property Tax Payments

Searches of the Guilford County Tax Department and Nexis real property found that Wooten currently owns two residential properties in Guilford County. Details about these properties are shown in the following table.

SUMMARY OF PROPERTY IN GUILFORD COUNTY CURRENTLY OWNED BY JOHN (JD) WOOTEN County Date Current Address (State) Parcel No. Named Owner Purchased Taxable Notes Value 204 Wilson Street Guildford 7864-37- John D Wooten IV 1/13/2017 $230,500 Residential Greensboro, NC 27401 (NC) 2052 Purchased for $300,000 101 S Lindell Road Guildford 7854-36- John D Wooten IV 3/18/2019 $149,000 Residential Greensboro, NC 27403 (NC) 9685 Purchased for $165,000 Source: Guilford County Tax Department, Nexis Real Property

As noted in a separate chapter of this report, Wooten was registered to vote at 204 Wilson Street in 2016-2017 and this property is located in Senate District 28. Wooten changed his registration in February 2018 to what appears to be a rental property that is located in Senate District 24. He has since changed his registration two more times to what appear to be rental properties in Senate District 24.

204 Wilson Street, Greensboro

The following images show the Guilford County Tax Department records for 204 Wilson Street. These records show that Wooten purchased 204 Wilson Street in January 2017 for $300,000. The records describe 204 Wilson Street as a 2,112 square foot residence with four bedrooms and two and one-half bathrooms.

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204 Wilson St, Property Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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204 Wilson St, Building Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Searches of the Guilford County Tax Department found no delinquent property tax payments made by Wooten for as long as he has owned 204 Wilson Street.

101 S Lindell Road, Greensboro

The following images show the Guilford County Tax Department records for 101 S Lindell Road. These records show that Wooten purchased 101 S Lindell Road in March 2019 for $165,000. The records describe 101 S Lindell Road as an 1,185 square foot residence with three bedrooms and one bathroom.

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101 S Lindell Rd, Property Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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101 S Lindell Rd, Building Summary, Guilford County Tax Department (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Searches of the Guilford County Tax Department found no delinquent property tax payments made by Wooten for as long as he has owned 101 S Lindell Road.

Neither of the Properties that Wooten Currently Owns Are Located in SD 24

Neither of the properties that Wooten currently owns are located in SD 24 – the legislative district in which Wooten ran in 2018 and is running again in 2020.

204 Wilson Street is located in the boundaries of State Senate District 28 (not in SD 24 where Wooten ran in 2018 and is running again in 2020).

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204 Wilson St, Greensboro, “Find Your Legislators,” ncleg.gov

101 S Lindell Road is located in the boundaries of State Senate District 28 (not in SD 24 where Wooten ran in 2018 and is running again in 2020).

101 S Lindell Rd, Greensboro, “Find Your Legislators,” ncleg.gov

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Wooten May Have Violated the Terms of the $165,000 VA Loan He Received to Purchase Property in Guilford County in March 2019 – the Loan Required Wooten to Occupy the Property for at Least One Year as His Principal Residence but He Registered to Vote at a Different Address in October 2019

Wooten may have violated the terms of the $165,000 VA loan he received to purchase 101 S Lindell Road in March 2019. The loan required Wooten to occupy 101 S Lindell Road for one year as his principal residence, but he registered to vote at a different address in October 2019.

The following images show the relevant portions of the Deed of Trust for the $165,000 VA loan that Wooten used to purchase 101 S Lindell Road. The second image in the series details the requirement that Wooten shall “occupy the Property [101 S Lindell Road] as Borrower’s principal residence for at least one year after the date of occupancy, unless Lender otherwise agrees in writing.”

It is possible that the lender did, in fact, agree in writing that Wooten did not have to comply with this occupancy clause. No such agreement was recorded with the Guilford County Register of Deeds.

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Document #R-8135-1975, Guilford County Register of Deeds, Recorded March 18, 2019 (image 1 of 3)

Document #R-8135-1975, Guilford County Register of Deeds, Recorded March 18, 2019 (image 2 of 3)

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Document #R-8135-1975, Guilford County Register of Deeds, Recorded March 18, 2019 (image 3 of 3)

As shown by the image below, Wooten registered to vote in October 2019 at 4817 Redland Court. This was seven months after he purchased the 101 S Lindell Road property. As detailed in a separate chapter of this report, it does not appear that Wooten has ever been registered to vote at 101 S Lindell Road.

John David Wooten IV, North Carolina Voter Registration Application, Guilford County Board of Elections, October 16, 2019

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A.6 – Other Public Records

Summary of Recorded Document Searches – No Tax Liens, Civil Judgments, Mortgage Defaults, or Foreclosures Have Been Filed against Wooten and His Affiliated Company

The following searches were conducted for recorded/filed documents. These searches yielded the results shown in the following table for tax liens, civil judgments, mortgage defaults, and foreclosures filed against Wooten and his affiliated company (as defendant and/or debtor).

Note that in-person searches at the Guilford County Clerk of Court and Wake County Clerk of Court are pending until further notice due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

SUMMARY OF RECORDED DOCUMENT SEARCHES FOR JOHN (JD) WOOTEN AND AFFILIATED COMPANY (1 OF 2) Search Term Guilford County Guilford County Wake County Wake County Clerk Recorder of Deeds Clerk of Court Recorder of Deeds of Court John Wooten No results RUN PENDING No results RUN PENDING Wooten & Sons No results RUN PENDING No results RUN PENDING Investments

SUMMARY OF RECORDED DOCUMENT SEARCHES FOR JOHN (JD) WOOTEN AND AFFILIATED COMPANY (2 OF 2) Search Term NC Sec. of State – Nexis Judgments & Nexis Foreclosures Federal Tax Liens Liens John Wooten No results No results No results Wooten & Sons No results No results No results Investments

Summary of Civil/Bankruptcy Court Searches – No Cases Found in which Wooten or His Affiliated Company Appear as a Party

The following searches were conducted for civil/bankruptcy court cases in which Wooten or his affiliated company appear as a party. Details about Wooten appearing in cases as an attorney or counsel of record in civil cases are provided in a separate chapter of this report. These searches yielded the results shown in the following tables.

Note that in-person searches at the Guilford County Clerk of Court and Wake County Clerk of Court are pending until further notice due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

SUMMARY OF CIVIL/BANKRUPTCY COURT SEARCHES FOR CASES WITH JOHN (JD) WOOTEN/ AFFILIATED COMPANY AS A PARTY (1 OF 2) Search Term Guilford County Wake County Clerk North Carolina North Carolina Clerk of Court of Court Appellate Court Business Court John Wooten RUN PENDING RUN PENDING No results No results Wooten & Sons RUN PENDING RUN PENDING No results No results Investments

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SUMMARY OF CIVIL/BANKRUPTCY COURT SEARCHES FOR CASES WITH JOHN (JD) WOOTEN/ AFFILIATED COMPANY AS A PARTY (2 OF 2) Search Term Nexis Legal Cases Nexis Legal Nexis Bankruptcy PACER Federal Dockets Filings Courts John Wooten No results No results No results No results Wooten & Sons No results No results No results No results Investments

Summary of Criminal/Traffic Court Searches – No Cases Found in which Wooten Appears as a Defendant

The following searches were conducted for criminal/traffic court cases in which Wooten appears as the defendant. These searches yielded the results shown in the following tables.

Note that in-person searches at the Guilford County Clerk of Court and Wake County Clerk of Court are pending until further notice due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

SUMMARY OF CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC COURT SEARCHES FOR CASES WITH JOHN (JD) WOOTEN AS DEFENDANT (1 OF 2) Search Term Guilford County Wake County Clerk North Carolina PACER Federal Clerk of Court of Court Appellate Court Courts John Wooten RUN PENDING RUN PENDING No results No results

SUMMARY OF CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC COURT SEARCHES FOR CASES WITH JOHN (JD) WOOTEN AS DEFENDANT (2 OF 2) Search Term Nexis Criminal Nexis Legal Cases Nexis Legal Dockets Records John Wooten No results No results No results

Driving Record – Wooten Has an Active License with No Suspensions, Restrictions, Violations, or Accidents

Wooten’s driving record was received from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles. The record shows that Wooten holds a valid license with no suspensions, restrictions, violations, or accidents.

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John David Wooten IV, Driving Record, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles

Other Searches – No Results

North Carolina Hunting & Fishing License – No Results

Searches of Nexis hunting & fishing licenses for records pertaining to “John Wooten” found no results that pertain to the subject of this report.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry – No Results

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry was searched for a “John Wooten.” This search found no results.

State Contract Databases Maintained by the NC Department of Administration – No Results

Searches were conducted of the following North Carolina Department of Administration vendor databases. These searches found no results for state contracts pertaining to Wooten and his affiliated company.

• Statewide Term Contracts (ncadmin.nc.gov/government-agencies/procurement/statewide-term-contracts) • Historically Underutilized Businesses (ips.state.nc.us/vendor/searchvendor.aspx?t=h) • Agency Specific Contracts (ncadmin.nc.gov/about-doa/divisions/purchase-contract/agency-specific- contracts) • North Carolina Debarred Vendors (ncadmin.nc.gov/documents/nc-debarred-vendors)

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A.7 – Record as an Attorney / 2018 Allegations of Representing Illegal Immigrants

State Bar Record – Wooten Has an Active License to Practice Law in North Carolina and Has Been Licensed in the State since 2016; No Disciplinary Orders Pertaining to Wooten

A search of the North Carolina State Bar found that Wooten has an active license to practice law in North Carolina and has been licensed in the state since August 2016. The following image shows the current State Bar registration information for Wooten.

John David Wooten IV, North Carolina State Bar (accessed on 5/26/2020)

A search of the North Carolina State Bar found no past disciplinary orders, pending disciplinary hearing cases, or temporary restraining orders & preliminary injunctions pertaining to Wooten. (“Lawyer Discipline,” ncbar.gov)

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Wooten Is an Attorney at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP and Is a Member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Group Specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Matters

As shown in a separate chapter of this report, Wooten reported on his 2020 Candidate SEI (signed in January 2020) that he is an attorney at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP.

John Wooten, 2020 Candidate SEI, North Carolina State Board of Ethics, Signed January 9, 2020

The following two images come from the Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP website.

The first image shows the biography page for Wooten. This page states that Wooten works out of the Greensboro, NC office of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP and that Wooten is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group specializing in patent, trademark, and copyright matters.

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“JD Wooten,” womblebonddickinson.com/us/people (image 1 of 2; accessed on 5/26/2020)

The second image shows “Publications” and “Experience” for Wooten. Note that a search of the University of Maryland website did not find “The Limits of Militarism: Why the U.S. Should Rely Less on Hard Power” paper that is listed as one of the “Publications” for Wooten.

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“JD Wooten,” womblebonddickinson.com/us/people (image 2 of 2; accessed on 5/26/2020)

Summary of Cases – Wooten Appears as Attorney of Record in 12 Federal Civil Cases, Nine of which Involve Patent Infringement or Trademark Infringement Claims

Searches of PACER federal courts found 12 civil cases in which Wooten appears as an attorney of record. Searches of Nexis legal and the North Carolina Appeals Court found no additional cases.

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A summary of these 12 federal civil cases are provided below. As shown, nine of the 12 cases involve patent infringement or trademark infringement claims. Two other cases involve breach of contract claims. One of the 12 cases involves a claim made against the U.S. government. That case is detailed in a subsequent section of this chapter.

CIVIL CASES IN WHICH JOHN (JD) WOOTEN APPEARS AS ATTORNEY OF RECORD Case Title Case # Date Filed Disposition/Details Great American Emu 5:20-cv-00161 4/17/2020 Breach of contract case. Company LLC vs. The E.J. McKernan Co. Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

This case remains active. Forsyth Seafood 1:19-cv-01257 12/27/2019 Review of USDA decision – food stamps case. Claim made Market & Grill Inc. v. against U.S. government. United States of America Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

This case remains active. Aspen Medical 1:19-cv-01098 10/29/2019 Patent infringement case. Products LLC et al v. Comfortland Medical Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for defendant. Inc. This case remains active. Sauer Brands Inc. v. 3:19-cv-00508 10/4/2019 Trademark infringement case. Duke Sandwich Productions Inc. et al Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for defendant.

This case remains active. Uwharrie Capital Corp 1:19-cv-00771 7/30/2019 Trademark infringement case. v. CDC Credit Union Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case in October 2019. (Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, Filed 10/30/2019) Revel’s BBQ of North 7:19-cv-00094 5/10/2019 Trademark infringement case. Carolina Inc. v. Cartrette Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case in September 2019. (Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, Filed 9/20/2019) Kluhsman Machine 5:19-cv-00020 3/1/2019 Patent infringement case. Inc. v. Dino Paoli SRL et al Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

This case remains active. Celgene Corporation 1:18-cv-00540 6/21/2018 Patent infringement case. v. Synthon Wooten appears as attorney for plaintiff.

Case dismissed by plaintiff in July 2018. (Stipulation of Dismissal, Filed 7/25/2018)

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Case Title Case # Date Filed Disposition/Details Passport Health LLC 5:17-cv-00187 4/19/2017 Trademark infringement case. v. Avance Health (U.S.D.C. North System Inc. Carolina ED) Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff.

Court issued judgment in favor of defendant and dismissed this case in December 2018. (Judgment, Filed 12/18/2018)

Domtar Corporation 5:16-cv-00942 12/13/2016 Trademark infringement case. et al v. First Quality (U.S.D.C. North Retail Services LLC Carolina ED) Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for defendant.

The parties settled this case in May 2018. (Order Dismissing Case, Filed 5/25/2018) Cross Creek Seed Inc. 1:16-cv-01432 12/21/2016 Trademark infringement case. v. Gold Leaf Seed Company Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for defendant.

Case dismissed by plaintiff in March 2018. (Stipulation of Dismissal, Filed 3/7/2018) Beach Mart Inc. v. 2:11-cv-00044 9/9/2011 Breach of contract case. L&L Wings Inc. Wooten appears as one of several attorneys for plaintiff. It appears that Wooten joined the case in 2018. (Notice of Appearance, Filed 2/8/2018)

This case remains active. Source: PACER Federal Courts

Since December 2019, Wooten Has Been Representing a Plaintiff in a Case Filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Case Filed to Reverse a USDA Decision to Withdraw a Food Store’s Authorization to Participate as a Retailer in the Food Stamp (SNAP) Program

Since December 2019, Wooten has been representing a plaintiff in a case filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This case was filed to reverse a USDA decision to withdraw a food store’s authorization to participate as a retailer in the food stamp (SNAP) program.

The following image shows the docket summary for this case. The docket shows that Wooten is one of two attorneys from Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP representing the plaintiff. The docket also shows that the case remains active (as of May 26, 2020).

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Forsyth Seafood Market & Grill Inc. v. United States of America, Case #1:19-cv-01257, Civil Docket, Case Filed December 27, 2019

The following image shows the first page from the complaint filed in this case.

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Forsyth Seafood Market & Grill Inc. v. United States of America, Case #1:19-cv-01257, Complaint, Filed December 27, 2019

During His 2018 Campaign for State Senate, Wooten Said that Republican Ads Run against Him Were “Libelous,” “Defamatory,” “Malicious,” and “Illegal” – the Ads Called Wooten a “Lawyer Who Specializes in Helping Illegal Aliens Avoid Deportation and Stay in Our Country Illegally”

During his 2018 campaign for state Senate, Wooten said that Republican ads run against him were “libelous,” “defamatory,” “malicious,” and “illegal.” The ads called Wooten a “lawyer who specializes in helping illegal aliens avoid deportation and stay in our country illegally.” The ads provided no substantiation to this claim other than the fact that Wooten opposed a Voter ID amendment. Additional details about Wooten’s position on Voter ID are provided in a separate chapter of this report.

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Wooten responded on Twitter to the ads, stating that he was an intellectual property lawyer.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, October 29, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, October 30, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

The Charlotte Observer reported on the ads. In the article Wooten said, “I do nothing in immigration law, never have.”

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HEADLINE: Caravans and Kavanaugh: NC campaign ads hit on national hot-buttons. Will they work?

Immigration is also the subject of ads the state GOP is using against Democratic Senate candidate J.D. Wooten of Guilford County. They say Wooten is a trial lawyer who “specializes in helping illegal aliens avoid deportation and stay in our country illegally.”

“I do nothing in immigration law, never have,” said Wooten, an intellectual property lawyer. “It is absolutely libelous.” “Caravans and Kavanaugh: NC campaign ads hit on national hot-buttons. Will they work?” Charlotte Observer, October 30, 2018

In April 2017, Womble Bond Dickinson Posted an Item to the Company Website Appearing to Show that Wooten May Have Provided Certain Pro Bono Legal Services to Illegal Immigrants Facing Deportation

In April 2017, Womble Bond Dickinson posted an item to the company website appearing to show that Wooten may have provided certain pro bono legal services to illegal immigrants facing deportation.

Womble Bond Dickinson posted a news item to the company website on April 6, 2017 that still exists at the following URL naming Wooten as one of the four Womble Bond Dickinson who helped immigrants at a pro bono clinic.

https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/insights/news/Greg-Chabon-Jamie-Stone-Jill- White-and-JD-Wooten-Help-Immigrants-at-Pro-Bono-Clinic

The news item on the company website only names the first three Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys whose names appear in the URL (Greg Chabon, Jamie Stone, and Jill White) but the body text of the news item states, however, that “the four Greensboro attorneys volunteered at the N.C. Justice Center’s Pro Bono Clinic.”

This suggests that either: (a) Wooten did not participate in the pro bono clinic and the URL and body text reference to “the four Greensboro attorneys” in the Womble Bond Dickinson news item are incorrect; or (b) Wooten participated in the pro bono clinic and his name was unintentionally not mentioned in the Womble Bond Dickinson news item; or (c) Wooten participated in the pro bono clinic and his name was intentionally removed from the Womble Bond Dickinson news item at some point.

An image of the news item from the Womble Bond Dickinson website is shown below. Note that Archive.org does not have older versions of this page saved.

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womblebonddickinson.com/us/insights/news/Greg-Chabon-Jamie-Stone-Jill-White-and-JD-Wooten-Help-Immigrants-at-Pro- Bono-Clinic (accessed on 5/26/2020)

As shown by the following two images, Womble Bond Dickinson has an immigration services business unit that specializes in “permanent residency and citizenship applications” and “personalized, customizable immigration assistance for key individuals.” Note that there is nothing on the Womble Bond Dickinson website suggesting that Wooten has ever provided services for or been affiliated with this immigration-related business unit.

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“WBD Advance,” womblebonddickinson.com/us/services (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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wombleimmigration.com (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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SECTION B: POLITICAL HISTORY

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B.1 – Summary of Wooten’s 2020 SD 24 Campaign

Wooten Is a Qualified Candidate for NC Senate District 24 in the November 3, 2020 Election – Running as a Democrat

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Wooten filed as a candidate for North Carolina State Senate District 24 on December 2, 2019. Wooten was the only Democrat to file for SD 24. His candidate address is listed as PO Box 5191 Greensboro, NC 27435.

“2020 Candidate List,” North Carolina State Board of Elections (accessed on 5/11/2020)

In December 2019, the Burlington Times-News Listed Wooten as a Filed Candidate for SD 24 – the Article Described Wooten as an “Air Force Veteran and Greensboro Lawyer”

In December 2019, the Burlington Times-News listed Wooten as filed candidate for SD 24. The article described Wooten as an “Air Force veteran and Greensboro lawyer.” Wooten previously ran for the same Senate seat in 2018 and lost by a 54-46 margin.

HEADLINE: Alamance County hopefuls line up for crowded local races

The first days of filing for the local 2020 election were busy with eight now vying for three seats on the Board of County Commissioners, two for an open state Senate seat, and challengers for both local state representatives — one from within the same party.

Candidate filing ends Dec. 20.

State offices

‒ N.C. State Senate District 24, now represented by Republican Rick Gunn, who has announced he will not be running for a sixth term:

J.D. Wooten, Democrat, Air Force veteran and Greensboro lawyer, filed Monday, Dec. 2, for the District 24 seat. Wooten challenged Gunn in 2018, losing 54 to 46 percent.

[continued on next page…]

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Amy Galey, Republican, chair of the county commissioners and a lawyer, also filed Monday for the state Senate seat that has been in Republican hands since 2010. “Alamance County hopefuls line up for crowded local races,” Burlington Times-News, December 3, 2019 (emphasis added)

Wooten Has a 2020 Campaign Website, jdwooten.com – Including an Issues Page with His Positions on “Equality for All,” “Stellar Education,” “Responsible Economic Development,” and “Access to Affordable Healthcare”

Wooten has a website for his 2020 SD 24 campaign (jdwooten.com). The website includes a biography, a section on his stance on issues, and social media links.

“Homepage,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

The issues page of Wooten’s website provides his platform positions on “Equality for All,” “Stellar Education,” “Responsible Economic Development,” “Access to Affordable Healthcare,” and “Independent Redistricting.” The text of these is provided below.

Equality for All

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." T. Jefferson “Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Stellar Education

Educated citizens drive economic growth and development. Let's give our children the opportunity to achieve more than we ever dreamed possible. We must put resources back into our schools to ensure quality education. Our current teachers deserve better pay for the work they do, and increased pay will attract the next generation of great teachers as well. Everyone deserves a quality education, and it starts with funding quality education. “Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

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Access to Affordable Healthcare

A healthy citizenry is a productive citizenry. An educated, healthy North Carolina will naturally attract jobs and economic development. We must expand Medicaid - failing to expand Medicaid has cost North Carolina $13 billion and denies our citizens healthcare benefits for which we have already paid. That money is now being diverted to other states because Republicans refuse to help the people of North Carolina and expand Medicaid. “Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Responsible Economic Development

We need to support and nurture local businesses to keep our economy growing and to keep jobs right here in North Carolina. Making sure our citizens are healthy and educated, while ending regressive and discriminatory policies, will attract companies to invest and grow in North Carolina. “Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Independent Redistricting

Everyone deserves an equal voice in their government, and no district should be drawn to favor one party, group, organization, or viewpoint over another. Simply put, the voters should choose their representatives; representatives should not choose their voters. Independent redistricting will ensure that not only does every voice matter, but that each voice matters equally. “Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Wooten’s 2020 Campaign Website Features Endorsements from Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club of NC, Equality NC, and Swing Left

Wooten’s 2020 campaign website features endorsements from Work for Democracy, Sierra Club of NC, Replacements Ltd PAC, Planned Parenthood, Equality NC, and Swing Left.

“2020 NC Senate Endorsements,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

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Campaign Finance Summary – In His Most Recent 2020 Campaign Finance Filing Covering January 1, 2020 through February 15, 2020, Wooten Reported Raising $9,008 and Ending the Period with $16,452 Cash on Hand

Wooten’s most recent campaign finance filing with the North Carolina State Board of Elections covers January 1, 2020 through February 15, 2020. In this filing, Wooten reported raising $9,008.20 and spending $1,566.76, ending with $16,452.50 cash on hand.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed February 25, 2020

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B.2 – Wooten’s 2020 Campaign Is Part of Democratic Efforts to Flip the NC Senate

In October 2019, Wooten Tweeted, “We Need to Flip 5 Seats to Take the Majority” and Provided a Link to His Campaign Website

On October 28, 2019, Wooten tweeted, “We need to flip 5 seats to take the majority” and provided a link to his campaign website.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, October 28, 2019 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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On December 5, 2019, Wooten Tweeted “We Can Flip Senate District 24 and Take the Majority”

On December 5, 2019, Wooten tweeted “We can flip Senate District 24 and Take the Majority.” The Tweet also noted that Wooten had filed as a candidate for SD 24.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, December 5, 2019 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

The Progressive Group Swing Left, Whose Primary Objectives Include “Breaking Republican Control of the State Legislature,” Lists SD 24/Wooten as a Targeted Race

Swing Left is a progressive political group dedicated to helping elect Democrats in competitive districts. (“Swing Left and the Post-Election Surge of Progressive Activism,” The New Yorker, January 26, 2017)

The North Carolina chapter of Swing Left includes a primary objective of breaking “Republican control of the state legislature by flipping one or both chambers.” Swing Left’s website specifically lists six GOP-held state senate targets including Wooten’s campaign for State Senate District 24.

Our primary objectives in North Carolina are to: 1) flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Thom Tillis, 2) win the state’s 15 Electoral College votes, and 3) break Republican control of the state legislature by flipping one or both chambers.

In the state Senate, we are currently targeting eight districts—six GOP-held seats and two Democratic holds. With North Carolina’s newly drawn districts, 2020’s competitive seats are scattered across the state, spanning the suburbs of Raleigh, Fayetteville, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem. “North Carolina,” swingleft.org (emphasis added; accessed on 5/22/2020)

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“North Carolina,” swingleft.org (accessed on 5/22/2020)

The Organization Real Facts NC Published a Report Looking at Competitive Races for the North Carolina State Senate – the Report Listed SD 24 as a Competitive Seat

In March 2020, the organization Real Facts NC published a report on the North Carolina legislature detailing “the 27 House and 14 Senate districts most likely to be competitive this cycle.”

2020 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal legislative elections in North Carolina history. Democrats have a clear path to win majorities in both chambers of the legislature after historic pickups last cycle broke Republican supermajorities. With a decennial census and subsequent redistricting coming up, control of the legislature will impact not only the next two years, but also the next decade of North Carolina policy. Competitive races for Governor and a US Senate seat are gaining significant media attention and the state looks to once again be a key presidential battleground. In totality, these races represent major change from last cycle’s blue moon election with no top of the ticket races.

This report highlights the 27 House and 14 Senate districts most likely to be competitive this cycle. This assessment incorporates candidate fundraising information where available, detailed analysis of new legislative districts (including past Democratic performance and demographic information), and other qualitative data about each candidate. Expect the list to shift as the election approaches and new information becomes available. “NC Senate Races to Watch,” Real Facts NC, March 9, 2020 (emphasis added)

The report listed Senate District 24 as one of these competitive seats for the 2020 election cycle.

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“NC Senate Races to Watch,” Real Facts NC, March 9, 2020

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B.3 – Wooten Unsuccessfully Ran for Senate in 2018 – to Break the GOP’s Supermajority

In February 2018, Wooten Tweeted that He Filed for SD 24 “to Help Break the GOP Supermajority in the General Assembly”

On February 27, 2018, Wooten tweeted that he filed for North Carolina Senate District 24 “to help break the GOP supermajority in the General Assembly!”

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, February 27, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In April 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Help Us Flip this Seat and Break the GOP Supermajority!!”

On April 20, 2018, Wooten tweeted a request for campaign contributions in order to “help us flip this seat and break the GOP supermajority!!”

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, April 20, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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An October 2018 Wooten Fundraiser Website Described SD 24 as a Target District of State-Wide Coordinated Efforts to “Break the GOP Supermajority”

A website for an October 2018 Wooten fundraiser described Senate District 24 as a key target district of state-wide coordinated efforts to “break the GOP supermajority.”

According to the fundraiser website, Senate District 24 was a key target for the NC Democratic Party, Governor Roy Cooper, and the Governor’s “Break the Majority” field team.

Join JD and his supporters for a fundraising reception at the Red Oak Brewery in Whitsett, NC to support his campaign to flip NC Senate District 24! JD is running to fight for equality, strong public education, access to affordable healthcare, responsible economic development, and independent redistricting to ensure free and fair elections. District 24 is a target district of the NC Democratic Party, Governor Cooper, and the governor's "Break the Majority" field teams in the state-wide coordinated efforts to break the GOP supermajority, but we need your help to get it done!

Rather than bore you with details here, if you want to learn more about JD's background, read more here. More about JD's campaign platform, social media links, and campaign videos are all available at jdwooten.com. There's even a countdown timer until the polls open just in case you need a reminder that time is of the essence!

Take this opportunity to meet JD and see for yourself that he is the type of leader we need in Raleigh serving the great state of North Carolina! “Fundraiser for JD Wooten at Red Oak Brewery,” act.myngp.com (emphasis added; accessed on 5/26/2020)

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B.4 – Supported by Liberal Super PACs from California and Massachusetts

One Vote at a Time, an Anti-Gun Super PAC, Made a $1,930 In-Kind Contribution to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – One Vote at a Time Is a California-Based Super PAC that Is Funded Heavily by Hollywood Special Interests

On July 10, 2018, One Vote at a Time, an anti-gun super PAC, made a $1,930 in-kind contribution to Wooten’s 2018 state Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

According to Vogue Magazine, One Vote at Time is an anti-gun super PAC dedicated to electing Democratic candidates who support gun control measures. Los Angeles filmmaker Sarah Ulman founded One Vote at a Time in 2016 after the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

The super PAC films video ads in support of candidates and was successful at flipping 10 state legislative races in Virginia 2017 elections. One Vote at a Time cuts campaign ads for Democratic legislative candidates and focuses on specific gun control issues curated for each state.

According to the article, One Vote at Time focused on gun control issues of banning bump stocks, raising the age to purchase assault rifles to 21, and universal background checks in North Carolina.

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HEADLINE: Meet the Young Female Filmmaker With a Gun-Reform Super PAC

What makes Sarah Ullman different from all the other 30-something filmmakers living in Los Angeles’s Silver Lake? For one thing, she has a super PAC. If your idea of a mega- fundraising political action committee founder looks more like a Koch or a Mercer, Ullman will surprise you: Petite, with a bob and a penchant for bright lipstick, you might sooner mistake her for a campaign volunteer than an executive director whose political ads helped flip 10 of the 15 seats Democrats gained in the Virginia statehouse in 2017. But her youth makes sense in the context of her PAC’s number one cause: to help elect candidates committed to ending America’s gun-violence problem, which, in the wake of the shooting in Parkland, Florida, this year, has become the cri de coeur of an entire generation.

Ullman founded her PAC, One Vote at a Time, in 2016, after another notorious mass shooting struck a group of largely young Americans, this time at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. While living in Los Angeles, having begun her career as a director just a year before, Ullman was watching Chris Murphy of Connecticut speak in the midst of a 15- hour filibuster on the Senate floor when she realized that she, too, had had enough. Ullman had interned for Murphy, then a Representative from her home district, in 2009, when she was a junior at Tufts University. As a familiar cycle of thoughts and prayers set in, Ullman felt helpless and angry. “I just was tired of feeling that way,” she says. She took to her Facebook page, asking her mostly film-industry–related friends and acquaintances, “What if I made campaign ads for people who are supportive of gun safety? Who’s with me?”

Four months later, after a lot of paperwork, One Vote at a Time was born. “You have to register as a PAC to make political advertising, and then you’re like, ‘Fuck, how do I do that?’” Ullman recalls via phone from North Carolina, where she was filming another round of ads in May. In setting up the PAC, she had a little legal help from Joss Whedon, whom she met though a producer friend and who sits on Everytown for Gun Safety’s Creative Council…

It was the vote of confidence she needed to go back to L.A. and crowdfund $37,000, enough to go to Virginia in 2017, where One Vote made ads for 10 successful candidates, all of whom campaigned on gun-control platforms and helped a blue wave roll through the Virginia state legislature…

The PAC focuses on candidates at the state level because its organizers believe that’s where gun reform has the most potential. State legislature is “a real battleground, and there are huge opportunities for big gains in states like North Carolina, which has just had its district lines redrawn because of a racial gerrymandering case,” says Ullman. In deciding what makes a pro-gun-safety platform in each state, the organization speaks to political consultants, talks to the candidates, and considers the policy landscape to get a better understanding (in North Carolina, for example, the governor has proposed tighter regulation that bans bump stocks, raises the age to purchase assault rifles to 21, and requires universal background checks). “Meet the Young Female Filmmaker With a Gun-Reform Super PAC,” Vogue Magazine, June 2, 2018 (emphasis added)

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, One Vote at a Time is an out-of-state super PAC heavily funded by Hollywood. Contributors to the super PAC included “the top movie stars, producers and directors in Hollywood” who “helped get the organization going by chipping in about $500,000.”

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One Vote at a Time spent roughly $1,930 each on North Carolina state legislative candidates to produce campaign videos. The Raleigh News & Observer reported that “One Vote at a Time has spent about $60,000 so far on production of ads in North Carolina.”

HEADLINE: Help from friends, PACs and Hollywood fuels first-time candidates in NC

Helen Probst Mills knew there would be challenges when she decided to escalate her volunteer work with community organizations and Democratic Party fundraising into a first- time run for public office…

But in the final stretch Mills' visibility has increased, thanks in part to out-of-state groups that have been trying to push fresh Democratic candidates into statehouses across the country, several recruiting women.

One of her benefactors is an example: One Vote at a Time, which was started in 2016 by two young women in the film industry who were motivated to do something about gun violence. They have lined up a million-dollar video ad enterprise with the goal of electing 190 Democrats who they describe as pro-choice and pro-gun safety to legislatures in North Carolina and nine other states.

One Vote has produced professional-quality video ads for two dozen, mostly first-time North Carolina candidates for state House and Senate, and for state Supreme Court candidate Anita Earls. Most of the North Carolina candidates have reported receiving in-kind contributions that place the value of each video at $1,930, according to third-quarter records; a few have gone as high as $3,000…

One Vote has registered a federal super PAC for raising campaign contributions, and in North Carolina a regular PAC with its $5,200 limit for each contributor. One Vote's contributors are not hidden behind the privacy protections of a nonprofit organization typical of "dark money" funding. It relies entirely on disclosed individuals.

Those individuals happen to be some of the top movie stars, producers and directors in Hollywood. Screenwriter Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Justice League," "Avengers" and many others) helped get the organization going by chipping in about $500,000. Other Hollywood contributors include Ben Affleck, J.J. Abrams, Emma Bates, Josh Burstein and Danny Elfman.

The large number of candidates keeps the production costs lower than they would be for individual candidates hiring their own consultants, Ullman said. Production crews provide the candidates with a choice of three versions of their video, ranging from two minutes to 15 seconds…

One Vote at a Time has spent about $60,000 so far on production of ads in North Carolina, according to state election records. The North Carolina One Vote PAC has received about $48,000 from joint fundraising with a related entity, the One Vote at a Time Victory Fund. “Help from friends, PACs and Hollywood fuels first-time candidates in NC,” Raleigh News & Observer, November 3, 2018 (emphasis added)

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Wooten’s campaign ad is featured on the One Vote at a Time website.

“North Carolina,” onevoteatatime.us (red box added; accessed on 5/21/2020)

Only If You Run, a Massachusetts-Based Progressive PAC, Contributed $5,000 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign

On September 12, 2018, Only If You Run PAC contributed $5,000 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten [STA-07D2V7-C-001], NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

According to its website, “Only If You Run supports Democratic candidates running for seats held by Republicans in the states that have been most heavily gerrymandered by the GOP.” Only If You Run spent a total of $150,000 supporting Democratic legislative candidates in the 2017 and 2018 elections.

Only If You Run focuses primarily on “donating to Democratic candidates running against Republican incumbents in heavily gerrymandered states.”

Only If You Run supports Democratic candidates running for seats held by Republicans in the states that have been most heavily gerrymandered by the GOP: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida, and Michigan. After the 2018 election, we decided to narrow our focus to North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and Florida. With Trump as President, elections will be unpredictable, and tough sledding for Republicans. If you get in the game, we'll help.

[continued on next page…]

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When you donate to Only If You Run, you are donating to Democratic candidates running against Republican incumbents in heavily gerrymandered states. We spend none of your donation on overheard, and we get money out the door to candidates, where it's needed, as fast as we can. Our pledge is to find strong candidates in tough but winnable Republican districts and donate as much and as early as possible.

In 2017 and 2018, we donated $150,000 to 32 candidates. 13 of them won, and are now elected officials. Every win is a flip, and we take no easy shots, so this is phenomenal success. Perhaps most importantly: 18 of our 32 races, and 10 of the 13 we’ve won, have been very close – each decided by less than 5%. Amazingly, seven were decided by less than 2%; just a couple hundred votes. Think about that: our participation – YOUR participation – really matters.

If you want a contribution, visit our candidates page and write to us. Tell us about your support for fair elections, and show us some signs of viability — money you've raised, the number of voters you've ID'ed, etc. If you meet our criteria and you're mounting a serious challenge, we'll write you a check for at least $5000. If demand exceeds supply, we'll prioritize first-time candidates. The point here is to help you make the tough decision to run for office, by making it a little bit easier. “About Us,” onlyifyou.run (emphasis added; accessed on 5/21/2020)

In February 2017, National Journal published a story about Democratic organizations and PACs during the Trump presidency. The article described Only If You Run PAC as being “Boston-based” and founded by Dan Berwick, general manager of a solar energy company.

National Journal reported that “Only If You Run has a fundraising goal of $100,000 by this summer to distribute in increments of $5,000 to $10,000 to state legislative candidates running this year in Virginia and North Carolina.”

HEADLINE: Trump Spurs Spike in Down-Ballot Democratic Groups

A bumper crop of Democratic organizations and PACs have sprouted in the months since President Trump's election in hopes of channeling liberal activist furor and helping mend a wounded party.

While some offer vague promises to serve as hubs of "the resistance," a surprising number are trying to address one root of the party's problem the party's lack of a grassroots bench of state and local officeholders…

As the party finds itself completely out of power in Washington for the first time in a decade, Democrats have also been wiped out in state legislative races in recent years. Republicans now control both legislative chambers in 32 states…

[continued on next page…]

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Some of those involved aren't politicos, just working professionals who felt compelled to do something after Trump's win last fall. Dan Berwick, general manager of a solar energy company and son of a former Democratic candidate for governor in Massachusetts, said he and three others founded Boston-based Only If You Run PAC to raise money for state legislative candidates.

"It just seemed to us like issues of fair elections and gerrymandering were things that were specific, strategic bedrocks for how we needed to get control of the situation," Berwick said…

According to Berwick, Only If You Run has a fundraising goal of $100,000 by this summer to distribute in increments of $5,000 to $10,000 to state legislative candidates running this year in Virginia and North Carolina. If the group hits that goal, it will continue raising money for legislative candidates next year in what it calls the "most gerrymandered states": Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, and Florida.

The group so far has raised $20,000 and been in touch with 10 prospective candidates. Though it has a small finance committee and board of advisers, everything is being done on a volunteer basis. “Trump Spurs Spike in Down-Ballot Democratic Groups,” National Journal, February 13, 2017 (emphasis added)

Wooten is featured on the Only If You Run website.

“Only If You Run Candidates,” onlyifyou.run (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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B.5 – Summary of Campaign Contributions Made to Others – $3,480 to Democrats

Summary of Searches – Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $3,480 to Other Candidates and Committees at the NC State and Federal Levels

Wooten has contributed a total of $3,480 at the North Carolina state and federal levels. Guilford County does not maintain an online database of campaign finance filings.

The following table summarizes the searches conducted for contributions by “John Wooten,” “JD Wooten,” and his affiliated company “Wooten & Sons.” The searches were narrowed to ensure the address of the contributor and employer/occupation matched that of Wooten.

SUMMARY OF JOHN (JD) WOOTEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO OTHERS Search Term Federal North Carolina JD Wooten (excluded contributors that Contributions totaling $1,405 Contributions totaling $2,075 were were not the subject of this report) were found (2000 to present) found (2003 to present) Wooten & Sons No results No results Source: Federal Election Commission; North Carolina Board of Elections

Federal-Level Contributions – Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $1,405 to Democratic Candidates and Committees; No Contributions to Republicans

The Federal Election Commission online campaign finance database was searched for contributions from individuals named “John Wooten” and “JD Wooten” and his affiliated business, “Wooten & Sons.” (“FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov) The searches were further narrowed to ensure that either the full name (JD Wooten, John D. Wooten, or John D. Wooten IV), state of residence (NC), or occupation (attorney) matched that of the JD Wooten who is the subject of this research report.

SUMMARY OF JOHN (JD) WOOTEN’S FEDERAL-LEVEL CONTRIBUTIONS BY RECIPIENT (2000 TO PRESENT) Recipient of Contributions from JD Wooten (Attorney, NC) Party Affiliation Total Amount Contributed Beto for America Democrat $60 Biden For President Democrat $280 Cal for NC Democrat $125 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Democrat $15 Kamala Harris for the People Democrat $25 North Carolina Democratic Party - Federal Democrat $775 Pete for America, Inc. Democrat $75 Seth Moulton for America Democrat $50 TOTAL $1,405 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

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Wooten has contributed to the following Democratic candidates and committees:

• Beto for America – Beto for America was the campaign committee for Beto O’Rourke, former Democratic presidential candidate in 2020.

Beto for America (C00699090), FEC Statement of Organization, Filed July 15, 2019

• Biden for President – Joe Biden is the Democratic presidential nominee for 2020.

• Cal for NC – Cal for NC is the campaign committee for Cal Cunningham, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. (“Meet Cal,” calfornc.com)

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) – The DCCC is a National committee of the Democratic Party.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (C00000935), FEC Statement of Organization, Filed July 22, 2008

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• Kamala Harris for the People – Harris was a former Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. Harris is also a U.S. Senator from California.

• Pete for America – Pete for America was the campaign committee for Pete Buttigieg, former Democratic presidential candidate in 2020.

Pete for America (C00697441), FEC Statement of Organization, Filed February 22, 2019

• Seth Moulton for America – Moulton was a former Democratic presidential candidate.

Seth Moulton for America (C00704510), FEC Statement of Organization, Filed April 22, 2019

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State-Level Contributions – Wooten Has Contributed $2,075 to Democratic Candidates and Committees; No Contributions Made to Republicans

The North Carolina State Board of Elections online campaign finance database was searched for contributions from individuals named “John Wooten” and “JD Wooten” and his affiliated business “Wooten & Sons.” (“Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov) The searches were further narrowed to ensure that either the full name (JD Wooten, John D. Wooten, or John D. Wooten IV) or occupation (attorney) matched that of the JD Wooten who is the subject of this research report.

SUMMARY OF JOHN (JD) WOOTEN’S STATE-LEVEL CONTRIBUTIONS BY RECIPIENT (2003 TO PRESENT) Recipient of Contributions from JD Wooten Party Affiliation Total Amount (Attorney) Contributed Elect Nicole Quick for NC Democrat $250 Guilford DEC Democrat $1,125 The Committee to Elect Dave Wils Democrat $200 Toole for NC Democrat $500 TOTAL $2,075 Source: “Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov

Wooten contributed to the following Democratic candidates and committees:

• Elect Nicole Quick for NC – Nicole Quick is a Democratic candidate for North Carolina state House.

Elect Nicole Quick for NC (STA-594HH3-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed September 23, 2019

• Guilford County Democratic Party (Guilford DEC) – Guilford DEC is the party committee for the Democratic Party of Guilford County.

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Guilford DEC (STA-C3947N-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed February 6, 2020

• The Committee to Elect Dave Wils – Wils was a Democratic candidate for Greensboro city council.

HEADLINE: Nancy Vaughan dominates Greensboro mayoral primary

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan deflected challengers from both the left and right with a solid 61.5 percent of the vote in unofficial results from Greensboro’s municipal primary on Tuesday night.

“I’m feeling very happy,” Vaughan said, as fellow council members congratulated her at the board of elections in the Old Courthouse. “I believe it’s validation that the city is on the right track.”

The Rev. Diane Moffett, a pastor with no prior experience in elected office, earned a place on the general election ballot thanks to her second-place finish in the mayoral race. She claimed 21.6 percent of the vote in a three-way contest that eliminated conservative businessman John T. Brown.

The three at-large incumbents held the top three spots in a contest that allowed the top six out of 15 finishers to advance to the general election, although challenger Michelle Kennedy trailed incumbent Mike Barber by only 11 votes. The two other challengers who made the cut are Dave Wils, a public-school teacher active in the Democratic Party, and Dianne Bellamy-Small, who previously served on city council as representative of District 1 from 2003 to 2013. “Nancy Vaughan dominates Greensboro mayoral primary,” Triad City Beat, October 10, 2017 (emphasis added)

• Toole for NC – Toole for NC is the campaign committee for William Toole, Democratic candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor.

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Toole for NC (STA-D34P1G-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed January 22, 2019

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B.6 – Contributed to Biden, Harris, O’Rourke & Buttigieg 2020 Presidential Campaigns

Summary of Contributions to Democratic Presidential Campaigns – Wooten Contributed a Total of $440 to Democratic Presidential Campaigns in 2019 and 2020

According to the Federal Election Commission, Wooten contributed a total of $440 to four different Democratic presidential campaigns in 2019 and 2020.

The following table summarizes the searches conducted for contributions to presidential campaign committees by “John Wooten,” “JD Wooten,” and his affiliated company “Wooten & Sons.” The searches were narrowed to ensure the address of the contributor and employer/occupation matched that of Wooten.

SUMMARY OF JOHN (JD) WOOTEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES Recipient of Contributions from JD Wooten Party Affiliation Total Amount Contributed Beto for America Democrat $60 Biden For President Democrat $280 Kamala Harris for the People Democrat $25 Pete for America, Inc. Democrat $75 TOTAL $440 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

Wooten Contributed a Total of $60 to Beto O’Rourke’s Presidential Campaign

According to the Federal Election Commission, Wooten contributed a total of $60 to Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign committee (Beto for America) in 2019. The following table provides an itemized list of all the contributions that Wooten made to O’Rourke’s committee.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO BETO FOR AMERICA Committee Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Name Address Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink) ActBlue – Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 6/14/19 $15 201907299157314499 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Beto for America Dickinson (C00699090) (US) LLP ActBlue – Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., Womble Attorney 5/25/19 $20 201907299157314510 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Bond Beto for America Dickinson (C00699090) (US) LLP

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Committee Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Name Address Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink) ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 3/14/19 $25 201907299157314496 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Beto for America (C00699090) TOTAL $60 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

The images of Wooten’s contributions to the “Beto for America” committee are not available online at the date of this report.

In April 2019 on Instagram, Wooten Posted a Picture of the Line at a Beto O’Rourke Campaign Event in Greensboro, NC

In April 2019, Beto O’Rourke held a presidential campaign event in Greensboro, NC. Wooten posted a picture on Instagram of the line at the event with the caption “Impressive turnout for a Monday lunchtime meet & greet.”

An image of the post is below.

@jdwooten, Instagram.com, April 15, 2019 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

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The Greensboro News & Record reported on O’Rourke’s April 15, 2019 campaign stop at Natty Greene’s Pub and Brewing Company in Greensboro.

HEADLINE: Beto O’Rourke visits Greensboro in hopes of gathering support for his presidential bid; talks about dreamers, teachers and equal pay

Someone in the crowd handed the presidential hopeful a copy of his Vanity Fair cover to sign.

People were lined up for “Beto” gear.

He’s that rare politician who can get by with only his first name.

Beto O’Rourke came to Greensboro Monday and talked nonstop about a litany of topics — with an enthusiastic crowd at rapt attention.

“Where we are right now, when you look at our foreign policy, is one of the most desperate moments of our history,” O’Rourke said at Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. “Beto O’Rourke visits Greensboro in hopes of gathering support for his presidential bid; talks about dreamers, teachers and equal pay,” Greensboro News & Record, April 15, 2019 (emphasis added)

In 2019, O’Rourke Proposed a Plan to Institute a “Mandatory Buyback” of Firearms and Advocated Government Confiscation of Privately Owned Firearms by Stating, “Hell, Yes, We're Going to Take Your AR-15”

In 2019, it was widely reported that O’Rourke proposed a plan that would “institute a ‘mandatory’ buyback of high-powered rifles.” O’Rourke made it clear that he advocated government confiscation of privately owned firearms by stating, “Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15.” Even fellow Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said that O’Rourke’s plan “amounts to confiscation.”

HEADLINE: O'Rourke Promises To 'Take Your AR-15,' But Americans Are Split On Buybacks

Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke gave a staunch defense of his gun control plan during Thursday's Democratic presidential primary debate, saying that as president, he would prioritize mandatory buybacks of assault-style weapons.

Quoting the candidate's past comment about selling back AR-15s and AK-47s, moderator David Muir asked O'Rourke: "Are you proposing taking away their guns? And how would this work?"

O'Rourke answered, "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47." “O'Rourke Promises To 'Take Your AR-15,' But Americans Are Split On Buybacks,” NPR, September 12, 2019

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HEADLINE: Beto O’Rourke says he expects Americans to surrender their guns

Beto O’Rourke dismissed criticisms of his sweeping gun control proposal, telling CBS News in an interview Thursday night that he expects gun owners will go along with his plan to institute a “mandatory buyback” of high-powered rifles.

“If we’re able to pass mandatory buybacks and I’m able to sign that into law, then I fully expect our fellow Americans to turn in their AR-15s and their AK-47s,” the former Texas congressman said.

O’Rourke’s “mandatory buyback” plan, which would force gun owners to surrender high- powered rifles like the AR-15 and the AK-47, has been criticized as impractical by other candidates in the race. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, for example, has said that O’Rourke’s plan amounts to “confiscation.” “Beto O’Rourke says he expects Americans to surrender their guns,” CBS News, October 25, 2019

Wooten Has Contributed a Total of $280 to Joe Biden’s Presidential Campaign

According to the Federal Election Commission, Wooten has contributed a total of $280 to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign committee (Biden for President) in 2019 and 2020. The following table provides an itemized list of all the contributions that Wooten made to Biden’s committee.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT Committee Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Name Address Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 1/5/20 $25 202002219201827966 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 12/28/19 $50 202001299175522237 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 11/20/19 $25 202001299175522237 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, 4817 Redland Ct., Womble Attorney 10/18/19 $50 202001299175522257 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Biden For President (C00703975)

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Committee Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Name Address Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink) ActBlue - Wooten, 101 S Lindell Rd., Womble Attorney 8/6/19 $5 202001299175522256 Earmarked for John Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 7/6/19 $15 202001299175522236 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 7/2/19 $5 202001299175522236 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., Womble Attorney 6/29/19 $25 201907299157314512 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., Womble Attorney 6/16/19 $5 201907299157314511 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., Womble Attorney 6/14/19 $25 201907299157314511 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., Womble Attorney 5/23/19 $25 201907299157314510 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Bond Biden For Dickinson President (US) LLP (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 4/25/19 $25 201907299157314498 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Biden For President (C00703975) TOTAL $280 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

The images of Wooten’s contributions to the “Biden for President” committee are not available online at the date of this report.

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Wooten Contributed $25 to Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign

According to the Federal Election Commission, Wooten made a $25 contribution to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign committee in 2019.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO KAMALA HARRIS FOR THE PEOPLE Committee Name Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink)

ActBlue – Earmarked Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 5/29/19 $25 201907299157314498 for Kamala Harris for Greensboro NC the People (C00694455) Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

The image of Wooten’s 2019 contribution to the “Kamala Harris for the People” committee is not available online at the date of this report.

In 2019, Harris Proposed a “Medicare for All” Plan – the Plan Would Be Paid for through “New Taxes” but “Among the Unanswered Questions in Harris’ Plan: How Much Will the Plan Ultimately Cost, and Will those Tax Hikes Cover It?”

In 2019, Harris proposed her own version of a “Medicare for All” plan, after also co-sponsoring the “Medicare for All” legislation proposed by Bernie Sanders. An NPR article on the plan says it would have been paid for through new taxes on households and “financial transactions.” The article also added “Among the unanswered questions in Harris’ plan: How much will the plan ultimately cost, and will those tax hikes cover it?”

HEADLINE: Kamala Harris Releases ‘Medicare For All’ Plan With A Role For Private Insurers

California Sen. Kamala Harris has released a health care plan just in time for the second Democratic debate, offering a role for private insurance in a “Medicare for All” system and outlining new taxes to pay for it.

The plan comes after months of questions about whether she supports scrapping private insurance — and as former Vice President Joe Biden appears to be gearing up to attack her at the upcoming debate on her support for Medicare for All.

To review, Bernie Sanders’ single-payer health plan is called “Medicare for All,” and Kamala Harris is a co-sponsor on that plan (along with several other presidential candidates, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren). His plan would cover all Americans with a government-administered health care plan.

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While Harris has co-sponsored Sanders’ plan, she has also diverged from Sanders’ vision on the campaign trail, most notably on the role of private insurance.

Here are how some key elements of the Harris proposal match up….

New taxes: One key revenue-raiser Sanders has proposed for Medicare for All is what his plan calls a 4% “premium” on household income over $29,000. Harris’ plan would impose that tax only on households earning more than $100,000, and would also raise even that threshold for households in “high-cost areas.”

To add to that revenue, Harris proposes taxes on financial transactions such as stock and bond trades.

Questions left to answer

One area that will most definitely get plenty of scrutiny is costs, both in the aggregate and individually. Among the unanswered questions in Harris’ plan: How much will the plan ultimately cost, and will those tax hikes cover it? And would this bring American health costs down overall? Harris says it would, but her initial plan did not offer detailed figures to explain how. “Kamala Harris Releases ‘Medicare For All’ Plan With A Role For Private Insurers,” NPR, July 29, 2019 (emphasis added)

Wooten Contributed a Total of $75 to Pete Buttigieg’s Presidential Campaign

According to the Federal Election Commission, Wooten contributed a total of $75 to Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign committee (Pete for America) in 2019. The following table provides an itemized list of all the contributions that Wooten made to Buttigieg’s committee.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO PETE FOR AMERICA Committee Name Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Address Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink) ActBlue – Earmarked Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, Womble Attorney 8/13/19 $25 202001299175522237 for Pete for America, Greensboro NC Bond Inc (C00697441) Dickinson (US) LLP ActBlue – Earmarked Wooten, 101 S Lindell Womble Attorney 6/14/19 $25 201907299157314511 for Pete for America, John Rd., Greensboro Bond Inc (C00697441) NC Dickinson ActBlue – Earmarked Wooten, JD 204 Wilson WCSR Attorney 4/6/19 $25 201907299157314497 for Pete for America, Street, Inc (C00697441) Greensboro NC TOTAL $75 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

The images of Wooten’s contributions to the “Pete for America” committee are not available online at the date of this report.

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B.7 – Wooten Is a Partisan Anti-Trump Democrat

Wooten Regularly Praises Governor Roy Cooper – for Example, in November 2018, Wooten Posted a Picture of Himself with Governor Cooper Stating “Huge Thanks to Gov. Cooper for All His Support”

Wooten regularly praises Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. For example, in November 2018 (election day), Wooten posted a picture of himself with Governor Cooper stating, “Huge thanks to Gov. Cooper for all his support, we couldn't do this without his leadership & tireless efforts to make NC better for all of us!”

jdwooten, Instagram.com, November 3, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

Wooten Regularly Criticizes Republicans and Has Negative Comments about Republicans on Social Media – for Example, in December 2018, Wooten Tweeted a Washington Post Article Titled, “Researchers Have Found Strong Evidence that Racism Helps the GOP Win”

Wooten Regularly Criticizes Republicans on Social Media For example, in December 2018, Wooten Tweeted a Washington Post article titled, “Researchers have found strong evidence that racism helps the GOP win.”

Wooten praised the article stating “great article on the American racial divide despite handling the subject with kid gloves.”

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@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, December 14, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In 2019, Wooten Called for Lt. Gov. Forest to Resign for “Emulating Trump,” “Attack[ing] Diversity and Multiculturalism,” and “Repugnant Discrimination”

In 2019, Wooten called for Lt. Gov. Forest to resign for “emulating Trump,” “attack[ing] diversity and multiculturalism,” and “repugnant discrimination.”

@JDWooten, Twitter.com, July 16, 2019 (accessed on 5/27/2020)

Wooten Blamed President Trump for the December 2018 Government Shutdown by Calling It the “Trump Shutdown”

Wooten blamed President Trump for the December 2018 government shutdown by calling it the “Trump Shutdown.”

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@JDWooten, Twitter.com, December 22, 2018 (accessed on 5/27/2020)

In October 2018, Former Obama Administration Attorney General Eric Holder Headlined a “Break the Majority” Canvassing Event to Benefit Wooten

In October 2018, former Obama Administration Attorney General Eric Holder headlined a “Break the Majority” canvassing event to benefit Wooten.

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“Tomorrow: Attorney General Eric Holder to Launch Break the Majority Canvass in Greensboro,” ncdp.org (accessed on 5/26/2020; highlighting added)

Break the Majority was part of a Democratic State Party effort to break the Republican supermajorities in the North Carolina General Assembly.

HEADLINE: Democrats’ money strategy helped a gun-control advocate flip a deep-red NC district

It should have been a district where a Republican would win easily.

It’s the northern tip of Mecklenburg County where, in 2016, Republican Rep. John Bradford easily defeated an unaffiliated candidate — Democrats didn’t even challenge him — and Donald Trump won with 51 percent of the votes to Hillary Clinton’s 43 percent in the area that would become Bradford’s 2018 district.

Instead Democrat Christy Clark, a first-time candidate and advocate for laws to protect people from gun violence, won Tuesday. Her victory helped Democrats end the Republican supermajority in the House. Republicans can no longer marginalize Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on most issues because they won’t have enough votes to easily overturn his vetoes.

It was a pattern in House races in the Wake and Mecklenburg suburbs where Republicans lost. Republicans were running in districts built to give them a partisan edge. They faced a wall of money and resources from the state Democratic Party that was part of an effort called Break the Majority. Cooper used his own donors and databases to help the effort raise about $7 million. “Democrats’ money strategy helped a gun-control advocate flip a deep-red NC district,” Raleigh News & Observer, November 10, 2018 (emphasis added)

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B.8 – Other Political History

Campaign Expenditures Paid to Wooten – No Results

Federal

The Federal Election Commission online campaign finance database was searched for disbursements from campaigns and committees to Wooten. (“FEC Disbursement Search,” fec.gov)

There were no results for “John Wooten,” “JD Wooten,” or his affiliated company, “Wooten & Sons.”

State

The North Carolina State Board of Elections online campaign finance database was searched for disbursements from campaigns and committees to Wooten. (“North Carolina State Board of Elections Transaction Search By Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov)

Searches were conducted for “John Wooten,” “JD Wooten,” and his affiliated company, “Wooten & Sons.” The searches were further narrowed to ensure that either the full name (JD Wooten, John D. Wooten, or John D. Wooten IV) or occupation (attorney) matched that of the JD Wooten who is the subject of this research report.

There were no results that matched the subject of this reports.

Local

Local elections are conducted by the county. Guilford County does not maintain an online database with campaign finance filings.

North Carolina State-Level Lobbyist Registration – No Results

Searches of the North Carolina Secretary of State Lobbying Compliance database returned no lobbyist registration records for “John Wooten” or “JD Wooten”. (“Lobbying Compliance Search,” sos.nc.gov)

Searches were conducted of the North Carolina General Assembly Lobbying Directories published in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These searches found no results for “John Wooten” or “JD Wooten.” (“Lobbying Directory,” sos.nc.gov)

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Federal-Level Lobbyist Registration – No Results

The following federal-level lobbying registration databases were searched for “John Wooten” or “JD Wooten.” These searches returned no results:

• Clerk of the U.S. House (“Lobbying Disclosure,” disclosurespreview.house.gov) • Secretary of the U.S. Senate (“Query the Lobbying Disclosure Act Database,” soprweb.senate.gov) • ProPublica (“Lobbying Registrations,” projects.propublica.com) • OpenSecrets (“Individual Lobbyists Lookup,” opensecrets.org) • OpenSecrets Foreign Agents Registration Act Registrants (“FARA,” opensecrets.org)

North Carolina State Ethics Commission – No Results

The North Carolina State Ethics Commission does not have a searchable database for ethics violations. The website states that complaints are confidential. If a complaint made against a “public servant” is credible there is a public hearing held and the complaint will be made public. (“Ethics Complaints,” ethics.ncsbe.gov) Google advanced searches of the Ethics Commission website for “John Wooten” and “JD Wooten” returned no results.

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SECTION C: TAX, FISCAL & MEDICAID EXPANSION ISSUES

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C.1 – Criticized Prior NC Tax Cuts & Called for “Trying to Find More Money”

In an October 2018 Interview, Wooten Criticized the Corporate Tax Cuts Passed by Legislative Republicans – Wooten Called for “Trying to Find More Money from Corporate and the Wealthy” to Fund Education Programs

In an October 2018 interview with WXII 12 NBC, Wooten criticized the corporate cuts passed by legislative Republicans. Instead, Wooten called for higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

Wooten specifically called for “more money from corporate and the wealthy to fund” education programs in the state.

[NEWS REPORTER:] His background includes a serving in the military, working as a lawyer, and he hopes to add state senator to his resume.

[WOOTEN:] After high school, I went to the U.S. Air Force Academy, studied engineering. I really wanted to be a fighter pilot, but the Air Force had other careers.

[NEWS REPORTER:] After a 10-year career in the Air Force, JD Wooten went to Wake Forest Law School and today works for one of the biggest law firms in the state. Now, he is challenging Republican Rick Gunn, a four-term incumbent, for a seat in the North Carolina Senate. He says Republicans have not spent enough money on education, and if elected, he would fight to spend more. Where would you look for it?

[WOOTEN:] I think some of the most massive and regressive tax cuts North Carolina has seen in a long time.

[NEWS REPORTER:] The Democratic challenger says he doesn’t support raising taxes on the working class, but opposes corporate tax cuts passed by Republicans. He says the Republican tax plan is misleading.

[WOOTEN:] They are telling people that they lowered their income tax. But in reality, on the side, they raised sales taxes, raised service taxes, so the tax burden on individuals across the state has really gone up. I believe for the average North Carolinian; we could even bring taxes down while still trying to find more money from corporate and the wealthy to fund this education. That is a direct benefit to those companies. I believe they have a vested interest.

[NEWS REPORTER:] Like most Democrats, Wooten opposes the Republican proposed constitutional amendments on the upcoming November ballot, especially the ones transferring power from the governor to the legislature.

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[WOOTEN:] I believe those fundamentally alter the balance of power and the checks and balances in the state in a way that would be detrimental to our democracy and detrimental to making sure we have effective checks and balances. North Carolina already has an extraordinarily powerful state legislature. I do not think we need to take more power away from the governor and give it to the state legislature on these appointments. “Meet Democrat JD Wooten running for NC Senate 24th district,” WXII 12 NBC, October 16, 2018 (transcription by MB Public Affairs; emphasis added)

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C.2 – Praised Ultra-Liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tax Policy

In 2019 on Facebook, Wooten Linked a Column by New York Times’ Paul Krugman about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Views on Tax Policy – Wooten Called the Column “Amazing,” Called Ocasio-Cortez the “Smart Gal in the Class” as She Advocated a 70-80% Tax Rate, and Said “Rock on Ms. Ocasio- Cortez”

In 2019, Wooten made a Facebook post about a column by New York Times’ Paul Krugman describing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s views on tax policy, especially Ocasio-Cortez’s support of tax rates as high as 70%.

In his comments, Wooten said the “amazing article” was “worth a read.” Wooten likened her economic policy detractors (i.e. Republicans) to “dumb jocks who just got rebuffed by the smart gal in the class” on tax issues. Wooten went on to say, “Rock on Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.”

JD Wooten for NC Senate, Facebook.com, January 9, 2019 (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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Krugman’s column describes Ocasio-Cortez’s desire to dramatically increase tax rates to “70-80%.”

COLUMN HEADLINE: What does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez know about tax policy? A lot.

I have no idea how well Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will perform as a member of Congress. But her election is already serving a valuable purpose. You see, the mere thought of having a young, articulate, telegenic nonwhite woman serve is driving many on the right mad — and in their madness they’re inadvertently revealing their true selves….

The controversy of the moment involves AOC’s advocacy of a tax rate of 70-80 percent on very high incomes, which is obviously crazy, right? I mean, who thinks that makes sense? Only ignorant people like … um, Peter Diamond, Nobel laureate in economics and arguably the world’s leading expert on public finance. (Although Republicans blocked him from an appointment to the Federal Reserve Board with claims that he was unqualified. Really.) And it’s a policy nobody has ever implemented, aside from … the United States, for 35 years after World War II — including the most successful period of economic growth in our history.

To be more specific, Diamond, in work with Emmanuel Saez — one of our leading experts on inequality — estimated the optimal top tax rate to be 73 percent. Some put it higher: Christina Romer, top macroeconomist and former head of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, estimates it at more than 80 percent….

And that’s something we can estimate, given evidence on how responsive the pre-tax income of the wealthy actually is to tax rates. As I said, Diamond and Saez put the optimal rate at 73 percent, Romer at over 80 percent — which is consistent with what AOC said. Paul Krugman Column, “What does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez know about tax policy? A lot.” New York Times, January 5, 2019 (emphasis added)

In 2019, Bloomberg Businessweek Called Ocasio-Cortez “the Darling of the Left” – Ocasio-Cortez Has Proposed 70% Tax Rates, Medicare for All, Abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Military Spending Cuts, and Stronger Gun Control Laws

In 2019, Bloomberg Businessweek called Ocasio-Cortez “the Darling of the Left” in a profile of her following a 60 Minutes interview regarding a package of legislation she had proposed called “the Green New Deal.” To pay for her plan, Ocasio-Cortez proposed tax rates of 70%.

In addition to the Green New Deal and higher tax rates, the article said, “she favors Medicare for all, a federal guarantee of a job, abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau, and tuition-free college or trade school.” It goes on to say that Ocasio-Cortez also supports cuts to military spending and stronger gun control laws.

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HEADLINE: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is the Darling of the Left, Nightmare of the Right

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might not have seen eye to eye with Joseph Overton, the late free- market advocate. But she has a firm grasp of the concept for which he is best known: the Overton Window. The term refers to the range of ideas that are at any given time considered worthy of public discussion. Thanks largely to her, the Overton Window on tax rates has just been moved significantly to the left.

Ocasio-Cortez, the mediagenic 29-year-old from the Bronx, N.Y., is the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Representatives. In an appearance on 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper that aired on Jan. 6, she was talking up the Green New Deal, a plan to move the U.S. to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. Cooper challenged her by saying the program would require raising taxes. “There’s an element, yeah, where people are going to have to start paying their fair share,” she replied. Asked for specifics, she said, “Once you get to the tippy tops, on your 10 millionth dollar, sometimes you see tax rates as high as 60 or 70 percent.”

Seventy percent! For perspective, the top rate under the tax law that passed in December 2017 is 37 percent. And now, suddenly, a number so extreme that no one in polite society dared utter it became a focal point of debate. Ocasio-Cortez’s fans—she has 2.4 million followers on Twitter alone—loved it. Some pundits dug up economic research defending rates in the 70 percent range. Others pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez was actually lowballing the historical comparison: Top rates were 90 percent or higher as recently as the 1960s. Defenders of low tax rates heaped abuse on her, which backfired on them by inflaming her supporters….

Aside from the Green New Deal and higher taxes on the rich, she favors Medicare for all, a federal guarantee of a job, abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau, and tuition-free college or trade school. She also wants to slash military spending, ban assault weapons, and bring back Glass-Steagall, the Depression-era law that separated commercial and investment banks. “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is the Darling of the Left, Nightmare of the Right,” Bloomberg Businessweek, January 17, 2019 (emphasis added)

In 2019, NPR Reported that Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Was “A Massive Policy Package that Would Remake the U.S. Economy” – Cites “Lofty Goals,” Such as a Guaranteed Job “with a Family Sustaining Wage, Adequate Family and Medical Leave, Paid Vacations and Retirement Security” and Health Care for Every American

In 2019, an NPR story called Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal “a massive policy package that would remake the U.S. economy.” The story states that the “lofty goals” in the plan include, “a guaranteed job ‘with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations and retirement security’ for every American” and “‘high-quality health care’ for all Americans.”

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HEADLINE: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Releases Green New Deal Outline

Whether it's a deadly cold snap or a hole under an Antarctic glacier or a terrifying new report, there seem to be constant reminders now of the dangers that climate change poses to humanity.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., think they have a start to a solution. Thursday they are introducing a framework defining what they call a "Green New Deal" — what they foresee as a massive policy package that would remake the U.S. economy and, they hope, eliminate all U.S. carbon emissions….

The bill calls for a "10-year national mobilizations" toward accomplishing a series of goals that the resolution lays out.

Among the most prominent, the deal calls for "meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources." The ultimate goal is to stop using fossil fuels entirely, Ocasio-Cortez's office told NPR, as well as to transition away from nuclear energy.

In addition, the framework, as described in the legislation as well as a blog post — containing an updated version of "FAQs" provided to NPR by Ocasio-Cortez's office — calls for a variety of other lofty goals:

• "upgrading all existing buildings" in the country for energy efficiency; • working with farmers "to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions ... as much as is technologically feasible" (while supporting family farms and promoting "universal access to healthy food"); • "Overhauling transportation systems" to reduce emissions — including expanding electric car manufacturing, building "charging stations everywhere," and expanding high-speed rail to "a scale where air travel stops becoming necessary"; • A guaranteed job "with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations and retirement security" for every American; • "High-quality health care" for all Americans.

Which is to say: the Green New Deal framework combines big climate-change-related ideas with a wish list of progressive economic proposals that, taken together, would touch nearly every American and overhaul the economy. “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Releases Green New Deal Outline,” NPR, February 7, 2019 (emphasis added)

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C.3 – Support for Medicaid Expansion

On His 2020 Campaign Website, Wooten States, “We Must Expand Medicaid” and Have “Access to Affordable Healthcare”

Wooten’s 2020 campaign website features a priorities page. On this page, Wooten states, “we must expand Medicaid” and have “access to affordable healthcare.”

“Priorities,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In August 2018, Wooten Criticized His Opponent, GOP State Senator Rick Gunn for Blocking Medicaid Expansion

In August 2018, Wooten criticized his opponent, GOP State Senator Rick Gunn for blocking Medicaid expansion.

Wooten specifically tweeted, “Medicaid expansion - @SenatorRickGunn blocked it, denying 500,000 people health insurance, including 23,000 veterans, & letting +1000 people die every year.”

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@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, August 23, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

During His 2018 Campaign for State Senate, Wooten Released a Campaign Ad Blasting His GOP Opponent for Opposing Medicaid Expansion

During his 2018 campaign for State Senate, Wooten released a campaign ad blasting his opponent, GOP State Senator Rick Gunn, for opposing Medicaid expansion.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, State Senator Rick Gunn “was among many co-sponsors of a 2013 bill that rejected the ACA's optional Medicaid expansion.”

HEADLINE: Fact check: Has refusing Medicaid expansion cost veterans? Candidate is on right track

For years, Democrats in North Carolina have pushed to expand Medicaid, a move they say would help hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians afford health insurance.

JD Wooten, A Democratic candidate for state Senate, added new fuel to the expansion debate when he blasted his opponent, four-term Republican incumbent Sen. Rick Gunn, in a campaign ad.

"My opponent, Rick Gunn, blocked the expansion of Medicaid -- costing half a million people health insurance, including at least 23,000 veterans," Wooten said in a caption posted with the video.

We wondered if Wooten -- who is running in North Carolina's District 24, which includes Alamance County and part of Guilford County -- was correct in his estimates. We decided to take a look…

Since his election in 2016, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has battled with conservatives in the state's Republican-led legislature over the issue. There were signs of a bipartisan agreement when Republicans authored a 2017 bill called "Carolina Cares," but the legislation never got off the ground in committee.

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Fact-checking NC Gov. Roy Cooper on Medicaid expansion claim

But while some state Republicans have worked toward compromise, Gunn was among many co-sponsors of a 2013 bill that rejected the ACA's optional Medicaid expansion, clarified the state's intent not to operate a state-run health benefit exchange and determined that Medicaid eligibility decisions would be made by the state rather than the federal government. The bill was adopted by a vote of 74 to 40 in the state House and 31 to 16 in the state Senate and signed into law by then-Gov. Pat McCrory…

The Wooten campaign cited several reports to support the claim that withholding Medicaid expansion was costing half a million North Carolinians health insurance.

Among those were articles from the left-leaning North Carolina Justice Center, the pro- expansion Close the Gap NC and the North Carolina Medical Journal, all of which estimated that the expanded benefit would give new coverage to some 500,000 people.

Most other reports predicted similar results. The U.S. Census Bureau, for example, estimated in 2016 that there are more than 440,000 North Carolinians who are uninsured and earning less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. “Fact check: Has refusing Medicaid expansion cost veterans? Candidate is on right track,” Raleigh News & Observer, September 5, 2018 (emphasis added)

Democratic State Senator Wiley Nickel Contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2020 State Senate Campaign – in February 2019, State Senator Nickel Co-Sponsored a Bill to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina

On December 27, 2019, Democratic State Senator Wiley Nickel contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2020 state Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed January 31, 2020

In February 2019, State Senator Wiley Nickel co-sponsored a bill (SB 1) to expand Medicaid in North Carolina.

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PRESS RELEASE HEADLINE: Senator Wiley Nickel Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina

Today, Senator Wiley Nickel co-sponsored SB3, a proposal to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians, including approximately 22,578 in Wake County alone.

“I am proud to co-sponsor SB1 which would expand Medicaid and increase health care coverage for families across Wake County said Senator Nickel. “This bill would help more than 22,578 individuals and families in Wake County gain access to coverage, but the full effects would be felt by our entire community. North Carolinians shouldn’t be forced to put the health of themselves and their families on the back burner because they can’t afford insurance. We can and should ease that burden this year.”

By introducing a bill to expand Medicaid as the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, state Democrats are signaling their number one priority is helping working families. In addition to making health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of our people, this proposal would boost our economy and create jobs. In Wake County, expanding Medicaid would: “Senator Wiley Nickel Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina,” Senator Wiley Nickel Press Release, February 14, 2019

In June 2019, Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger Criticized Medicaid Expansion as a “Mistake that Not Only Will Fail to Solve the Problems Its Proponents Claim It Solves, but Will Create New Problems”

On June 21, 2019, Republican state Senate Leader Phil Berger published an opinion article criticizing efforts to expand Medicaid in North Carolina. Berger stated that Medicaid expansion was a “mistake that not only will fail to solve the problems its proponents claim it solves, but will create new problems.”

Berger noted that Medicaid expansion would cost “approximately $173 million per year” with the state paying for those additional costs through “taxing the state’s hospitals and insurance companies.” Additionally, Berger warned that rising costs could crowd out vulnerable populations such as “the 12,000 disabled North Carolinians with severe developmental needs currently on the waitlist for the state’s optional Intellectual/Development Disability (IDD) Medicaid program.”

OPINION ARTICLE HEADLINE: The other side of Medicaid expansion

“Expand Medicaid!” “Don’t expand Medicaid!” Welcome to one of the most significant debates in the current session of North Carolina’s General Assembly.

Gov. Roy Cooper and legislative Democrats have made expanding Medicaid their number one goal for the 2019 legislative session. Republican legislators remain wary about both the policy and fiscal merits of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. The governor’s director of legislative affairs has even been quoted in the media saying, “The session ends when we get Medicaid expansion.” There’s also an ongoing guessing game as to whether Cooper will veto any budget passed by the legislature if it doesn’t include Medicaid expansion.

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The argument for Medicaid expansion goes something like this — there are people in the state that do not currently have health insurance coverage; Medicaid expansion provides insurance for every adult in the state whose income is less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level; 90 percent of the cost of the program is paid by the federal government, and expanding Medicaid will solve all sorts of current problems such as rural hospital closings and the opioid crisis.

Hearing those arguments you may wonder why North Carolina isn’t already on board the Medicaid expansion bandwagon. Well, like many things that sound too good to be true, there is another side to the story. A full accounting of the facts leads to the inescapable conclusion that expanding Medicaid would be a mistake that not only will fail to solve the problems its proponents claim it solves, but will create new problems and rekindle problems that have just recently been put to rest – such as Medicaid cost overruns and yearly budget deficits.

Let’s take a closer look at how the arguments for Medicaid expansion hold up. First, the claim that Medicaid will provide insurance coverage for approximately 500,000 people that don’t currently have coverage. The truth is, approximately 300,000 of those 500,000 — 60 percent — are either eligible for government-subsidized health coverage through the federal exchange or are already receiving health insurance through their employer. The actual “coverage gap” only exists for less than half of the expansion population. And who is in that gap? Children? No; children in low-income families are already eligible for Medicaid. Low- income pregnant women? No; they are also currently eligible. How about severely disabled individuals? No; already eligible. The truth is that the vast majority of those who would become eligible for coverage under Medicaid expansion are able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 50.

Ok; but it’s “free” money; why not take it? You’ve been told that the money is “free” because the federal government currently pays 90 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion, and the state will only be on the hook for 10 percent — approximately $173 million per year. And that cost will be paid by taxing the state’s hospitals and insurance companies. But what will the state do when the federal government changes the rules and pays less than 90 percent? In fact, the same thing just happened with the children’s health program. The federal government changed its match rate, blowing a $140 million hole in our budget and forcing the state to come up with the additional funds to continue the program.

In other states, expansion enrollment has far exceeded projections, increasing the financial pressure on other important budget items. Likely the first victims of expansion crowding out funding will be the 12,000 disabled North Carolinians with severe developmental needs currently on the waitlist for the state’s optional Intellectual/Development Disability (IDD) Medicaid program. Medicaid expansion would force these folks to continue waiting at the back of the line as able-bodied adults receive care. State Senator Phil Berger Opinion Article, “The other side of Medicaid expansion,” Raleigh News & Observer, June 21, 2019 (emphasis added)

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In July 2019, Americans for Tax Reform Vice President Patrick Gleason Wrote that Governor Cooper’s Proposal to Expand Medicaid in North Carolina “Would Cost $6 Billion over the Next Two Years” and Would “Necessitate Tax Hikes”

In July 2019, Patrick Gleason, Vice President of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, wrote an opinion article in Forbes about the effect of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.

According to Gleason, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina “would cost $6 billion over the next two years, which represents a 28% percent increase in Medicaid spending and a roughly 8% increase in total state spending.”

Gleason wrote, “[t]he budget Governor Cooper is demanding would lead to a large uptick in Medicaid spending that will crowd out other state spending priorities and necessitate tax hikes.”

OPINION ARTICLE HEADLINE: Standoff In North Carolina Over Obamacare’s Medicaid Expansion And Associated Tax Hikes

Lawmakers in North Carolina, named by CNBC last week as the nation’s best economy, and Governor Roy Cooper (D) will return to Raleigh next week to see if they can work out a budget deal more than two weeks after the new fiscal year began. Governor Cooper’s initial budget proposal spends about $500 million more over the next two years than does the $24 billion general fund budget approved by both chambers of the General Assembly in June. The General Assembly's budget won praise from conservatives and a veto from Governor Cooper…

Governor Cooper made a counter-offer this past week that insists on implementing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, a deal-breaker for most legislative Republicans, rejects the General Assembly-passed franchise tax cut, and spends even more money than his initial proposal. Based on the way things are going, it is very plausible that no deal is reached.

Implementing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, which is Governor Cooper’s top priority, would cost $6 billion over the next two years, which represents a 28% percent increase in Medicaid spending and a roughly 8% increase in total state spending. Among the 37 states that have expanded Medicaid in accordance with Obamacare, cautionary tales about its affordability abound…

The new budget approved by the North Carolina General Assembly would have the state continue to serve as a model for pro-growth fiscal policy and spending restraint, a model that many New York and Washington-based pundits will continue to ignore while obsessing over a much smaller state. The budget Governor Cooper is demanding would lead to a large uptick in Medicaid spending that will crowd out other state spending priorities and necessitate tax hikes. We’ll soon find out which side wins this argument…

Patrick Gleason I am Vice President of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, a Washington-based advocacy and policy research organization founded in 1985 at the request of President Ronald Reagan. Patrick Gleason Opinion Article, “Standoff In North Carolina Over Obamacare’s Medicaid Expansion And Associated Tax Hikes,” Forbes Magazine, July 13, 2019 (emphasis added)

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In January 2020, the Conservative John Locke Foundation Found that “Medicaid Expansion Would Cost North Carolina an Estimated $6 Billion” and Would Force State Government to “Increase Taxes, or Divert Resources from Education, Transportation, and Other Essential Parts of the Budget”

In January 2020, the conservative John Locke Foundation published a policy analysis of North Carolina Medicaid Expansion.

The John Locke Foundation found that “Medicaid expansion would cost North Carolina an estimated $6 billion between 2020 and 2030.”

The John Locke Foundation also noted that “to pay for the expansion, the North Carolina General Assembly would need to reduce provider payments, increase taxes, or divert resources from education, transportation, and other essential parts of the budget.”

HEADLINE: Medicaid Expansion

Medicaid is a program funded jointly by the state and federal government. Its core functions include paying medical providers for services rendered to low-income parents, children, pregnant women, the elderly, the blind, and the disabled.

The federal government currently funds two-thirds of North Carolina’s $14 billion Medicaid program. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, allows states to expand Medicaid eligibility to individuals earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. This figure equates to an individual earning $17,236 per year or a family of four earning $35,535. As of December 2019, North Carolina was one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid.

If North Carolina had chosen to expand Medicaid in 2014, the federal government would have fully funded its cost through 2017. States were then responsible for financing a portion of the total expense, reaching a maximum of 10 percent by 2020…

Federal funding of Medicaid expansion and other health care entitlements will necessitate either higher levels of deficit spending, which adds to the multitrillion-dollar federal debt, or substantial increases in taxes, which impedes economic growth.

Medicaid expansion would cost North Carolina an estimated $6 billion between 2020 and 2030. To pay for the expansion, the North Carolina General Assembly would need to reduce provider payments, increase taxes, or divert resources from education, transportation, and other essential parts of the budget. “Medicaid Expansion,” John Locke Foundation, January 2020 (emphasis added)

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C.4 – Opposition to North Carolina Having a 2020 State Budget

In October 2019, Wooten Praised Senate Democrats for Having the Votes to Sustain Governor Roy Cooper’s Veto of the State Budget and Prevent North Carolina from Having a State Budget

In June 2019, the GOP-controlled North Carolina General Assembly passed a state budget that was sent to Governor Roy Cooper’s desk. (“General Assembly approves budget plan; Budget proposal get final legislative OK; veto likely next,” Winston-Salem Journal, June 27, 2019)

On June 28, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the state budget. (“Cooper vetoes GOP budget, calls it ‘astonishing failure’,” Winston-Salem Journal, June 29, 2019)

Following Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the state budget, the North Carolina state House successfully overrode the veto but an override vote in the North Carolina state Senate never occurred due to Democrats having enough votes to prevent an override of the veto. The legislature adjourned without a state budget.

HEADLINE: The budget fight in North Carolina is over for 2019 as legislators adjourn

The North Carolina legislature is done trying to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes on the budget and a few other hot-button issues — until at least next year.

The N.C. Senate and House of Representatives both adjourned Thursday evening, putting a temporary end to one of the longest legislative sessions in recent years that was dominated by redistricting lawsuits and a fight over the budget and Medicaid expansion.

The House voted to override Cooper’s budget veto in a controversial vote Sept. 11, when nearly every Democrat was absent. But in the Senate, Democrats were able to keep Cooper’s veto alive. They hold 21 of the 50 seats, which is the minimum number of votes needed to stop a veto override.

“The votes were not ready to be taken so we’ve now moved that as well as a couple other overrides,” Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said Thursday in a press conference after the session ended. “The budget fight in North Carolina is over for 2019 as legislators adjourn,” Raleigh News & Observer, October 31, 2019 (emphasis added)

Wooten praised Senate Democrats for having the votes to sustain Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the state budget and prevent the state from having a budget. Wooten noted that Republicans in the Senate canceled the vote to override.

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In a Twitter post, Wooten specifically stated, “All 21 NC Senate Democrats showed up to sustain Gov. Cooper’s budget veto, so of course the GOP canceled the vote.”

An image of the post is below.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, October 28, 2019 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In a January 2020 Editorial, the Raleigh News & Observer Criticized the Current Budget Standoff, Noting that North Carolina’s Inability to Agree on a Budget Was Hurting Efforts to Give Raises to Teachers and Provide Affordable Housing to Low Income and Disabled North Carolinians

On January 22, 2020, the Raleigh News & Observer published an editorial criticizing North Carolina’s inability to agree on a budget – noting how the impasse stymied efforts to give pay raises to teachers and hurt efforts to provide affordable housing to low income and disabled North Carolinians.

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According to the editorial, N.C. Housing Finance Agency “will lose $20 million that it had planned to combine with federal housing funds to subsidize the construction of affordable rental developments in low-income rural counties” and “is also losing $7.2 million it had planned to provide to developers and property owners who create housing for people with disabilities.”

EDITORIAL HEADLINE: No new state budget is a loss for more than teachers

If a state budget is a state’s road map, North Carolina has officially lost its way.

The standoff between the General Assembly’s Republican majority and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has blocked the adoption of a new state budget and has the state retracing last year’s spending plan.

It’s the nature of a standoff that each side points at the other, but the blame here is far from equally shared. The Republican leaders have brought this on by continuing to push through legislation — or deny Medicaid expansion — as if the 2018 election had not eliminated their veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Cooper has vetoed 14 bills, including the budget. The Republican majority has failed to override any…

Meanwhile the inability of North Carolina’s leaders to agree on a budget has raised doubts about the state’s financial management, which could undermine its coveted AAA rating. The credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service said as the impasse deepened last November that, “The lack of a budget for more than four months reflects governance weakness and is credit negative.”

The lack of a budget isn’t just about the big items — raises for educators and UNC construction projects. It’s also about the small losses that loom large in the lives of individuals who depend on state support.

Scott Farmer, the executive director of the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, described two changes in housing for low-income people and disabled people that will result from the lack of new funding. His agency will lose $20 million that it had planned to combine with federal housing funds to subsidize the construction of affordable rental developments in low-income rural counties. Without the state subsidy, developers may have to build the units in more affluent counties to make their investments sound. “We will see less applications in low- and moderate-income counties,” Farmer said. “The damage has been done at this point.”

Meanwhile, the agency is also losing $7.2 million it had planned to provide to developers and property owners who create housing for people with disabilities. The Department of Health and Human Services uses the new housing to move disabled people from group homes and institutions to their own apartments. Now the number of units will remain fixed and some disabled people won’t get an opportunity for better and more independent living for another year. Editorial, “No new state budget is a loss for more than teachers,” Raleigh News & Observer, January 22, 2020 (emphasis added)

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SECTION D: IMMIGRATION & VOTER ID ISSUES

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D.1 – Opposed the 2018 Voter ID Constitutional Amendment

In March 2020, the DLCC Twitter Account Asked Wooten for Policies to Make Voting Safer and More Accessible during the Coronavirus Epidemic – Wooten Called for Repeal of Voter ID Requirements

On March 31, 2020, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Twitter account asked a series of policy questions to Democratic state legislative candidates who then could respond and provide their policy position.

In one such question, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Twitter account asked Wooten for policies he would support to make voting safer and more accessible during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Wooten tweeted his response and called for the repeal of voter ID requirements.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, March 31, 2020 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In June 2018, Wooten Criticized Republican Plans for a Constitutional Amendment Instituting Voter ID – Wooten Stated, “Voter ID Is Back in North Carolina, and the Justifications Are as Lame as Ever”

In June 2018, Wooten criticized Republican plans for a constitutional amendment instituting Voter ID. Wooten stated, “Voter ID is back in North Carolina, and the justifications are as lame as ever.”

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@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, June 8, 2018 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Wooten’s tweet included a link to a Charlotte Observer editorial criticizing Republican efforts to put a voter ID constitutional amendment on the November 2018 ballot.

EDITORIAL HEADLINE: Voter ID is back in North Carolina, and the justifications are as lame as ever

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore announced on Thursday his plan to put a photo voter identification requirement in the state constitution. The idea is as craven, political, misleading and ineffective as it was when a federal court ruled in 2016 that an N.C. photo ID provision and other voting restrictions targeted black voters “with almost surgical precision.”

Moore and his backers made that clear themselves Thursday, offering the same lame justifications that have been exposed as flimsy before.

First lame justification? Preventing fraud.

Moore called photo ID a “common sense measure to secure the integrity of our elections system.” He said it’s needed because “protecting our democracy should be one of lawmakers’ highest priorities.”

Rep. John Sauls, a Lee County Republican who is a primary sponsor of the constitutional amendment, said, “Our state must not tolerate anyone’s vote being threatened because lawmakers failed to prevent fraud.”

What a sham. For years, Republicans in North Carolina alleged that in-person fraudulent voting is rampant. Then, in April 2017, the state Board of Elections released the results of an extensive, objective audit of the 2016 election. It found that out of almost 4.8 million votes cast, one fraudulent vote probably would have been avoided with a photo voter ID law. One!

If Sauls is worried about lawmakers failing to prevent fraud, he should pay more attention to Russian hacking or mail-in absentee-ballot fraud, both of which pose bigger threats than someone showing up at the polls illegitimately. Editorial, “Voter ID is back in North Carolina, and the justifications are as lame as ever,” Charlotte Observer, June 8, 2018

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D.2 – Other Immigration Issues

In June 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Separating Migrant Families Is a Human Rights Violation” and Compared the Trump Administration’s Separation Policy to Slavery and Torture

On June 17, 2018, Wooten tweeted, “Separating migrant families is a human rights violation” and compared the Trump Administration’s separation policy to slavery and torture.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, June 17, 2018 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

Wooten’s Tweet also included a link to a Global Citizen article about the United Nations accusing the U.S. of human rights violations related to family separations of illegal immigrants.

HEADLINE: UN Accuses US of Human Rights Violations for Separating Migrant Families

When a Brazilian woman crossed the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, last November with her 14-year old son, they were promptly separated by immigration officials. The woman was detained in local facilities, and her son was sent to a detention center in Chicago.

They were separated for more than nine months.

Although it may seem like a bureaucratic error, the incident has become the norm after President Donald Trump enacted a “zero tolerance” policy for unauthorized border crossings in January, calling for undocumented families to be separated.

Now the United Nations is calling on the US to end this approach, arguing that it represents an ongoing human rights violation.

“The US should immediately halt this practice,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN human rights agency, OHCHR, said in a statement. “The practice of separating families amounts to arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life, and is a serious violation of the rights of the child."

“The child’s best interest should always come first, including over migration management objectives and other administrative concerns," she added. “UN Accuses US of Human Rights Violations for Separating Migrant Families,” Global Citizen, June 6, 2018 (emphasis added)

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During the December 2018 Government Shutdown, Wooten Retweeted Several Democratic Members of Congress Opposing the Funding of a U.S. Border Wall

In December 2018, the U.S. government shut down when Congress failed to reach a compromise with the Trump Administration over the funding of a $5.7 billion border wall.

HEADLINE: Government Shuts Down as Talks Fail to Break Impasse

The federal government shut down early Saturday after congressional and White House officials failed to find a compromise on a spending bill that hinged on President Trump’s demands for $5.7 billion for a border wall.

It is the third shutdown in two years of unified Republican rule in Washington, and it will stop work at nine federal departments and several other agencies. Hundreds of thousands of government employees are affected.

Any hope of a compromise ended about 8:30 p.m. Friday, when both the House and the Senate had adjourned with no solution in sight. Talks are expected to begin again on Saturday.

A burst of late-afternoon activity could not break the deadlock, even as Vice President Mike Pence met with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, and senior House Republicans, searching for a solution to a logjam that Mr. Trump has shown little interest in breaking.

While the president has been unwilling to consider dropping his demand to fund his signature campaign promise, Mr. Pence and other White House officials were discussing a number of potential compromises that would force him to do just that, omitting spending on a wall and instead adding money for other security measures at the border, according to several officials with knowledge of the talks.

Late Friday, as his budget director ordered the carrying out of shutdown plans, President Trump told the country in a video on Twitter that “we’re going to have a shutdown.” “Government Shuts Down as Talks Fail to Break Impasse,” New York Times, December 21, 2018 (emphasis added)

During the government shutdown, Wooten retweeted several tweets from Democratic members of Congress opposing funding the border wall.

Wooten criticized the funding of the border wall and quoted a satirical article titled, “Nation with Crumbling Bridges and Roads Excited to Build Giant Wall.”

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@JD Wooten, Twitter.com, December 21-22, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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In July 2019, Wooten Tweeted a Quote from a New York Times Article Saying It Was a Victory that the Trump Administration Abandoned Its Efforts to Include a Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census

In July 2019, Wooten tweeted a quote from a New York Times article about the Trump Administration’s decision to abandon efforts to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

In his tweet, Wooten specifically quoted, “The decision is a victory for critics who said the question was part of an administration effort to skew the census results in favor of Republicans.”

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, July 2, 2019 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

According to the article, the U.S. Supreme Court initially blocked efforts from the Trump Administration to include a citizenship question for the 2020 census.

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HEADLINE: 2020 Census Won’t Have Citizenship Question as Trump Administration Drops Effort

The Trump administration, in a dramatic about-face, abandoned its quest on Tuesday to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, a week after being blocked by the Supreme Court.

Faced with mounting deadlines and a protracted legal fight, officials ordered the Census Bureau to start printing forms for next year’s head count without the question.

The decision was a victory for critics who said the question was part of an administration effort to skew the census results in favor of Republicans. It was also a remarkable retreat for an administration that typically digs into such fights.

Just last week after the Supreme Court’s decision, President Trump said he was asking his lawyers to delay the census, “no matter how long,” in order to fight for the question in court. He reiterated his unwillingness to give up in a Twitter message posted late Tuesday, saying he had asked administration officials “to do whatever is necessary” to get a citizenship question on the census form.

Word of the administration’s decision to stop fighting came in a one-sentence email from the Justice Department to lawyers for plaintiffs in a New York lawsuit that sought to block the question’s inclusion in the head count…

The Supreme Court last week rejected the administration’s stated reason for adding a question on citizenship to the census, and while the decision was not a conclusive ruling, the justices placed a daunting hurdle before the government. “2020 Census Won’t Have Citizenship Question as Trump Administration Drops Effort,” New York Times, July 2, 2019 (emphasis added)

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support the Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws by State and Local Police?”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “No” to the question “Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?”

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“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

NOTE 1: VoteSmart.org is a third-party website not affiliated with Wooten’s campaign. VoteSmart.org purports that Wooten provided these “Political Courage Test” answers, but provides no confirmation.

NOTE 2: VoteSmart.org includes the following disclaimer on Wooten’s “Political Courage Test”: “Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “Yes” to the Question “Should Immigrants Unlawfully Present in the United States Who Graduate from North Carolina High Schools Be Eligible for In-State Tuition at Public Universities?”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

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According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “Yes” to the question “Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from North Carolina high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?”

“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

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SECTION E: OTHER ISSUES

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E.1 – Opposes “Burning Fossil Fuels”

In December 2018, Wooten Tweeted “Is Burning Fossil Fuels Really Worth 96% Extinction Rate?”

On December 12, 2018, Wooten tweeted, “Is burning fossil fuels really worth 96% extinction rate?”

Wooten also included a link to a New York Times article looking at scientific studies of mass extinction and carbon dioxide levels.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, December 12, 2018 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

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E.2 – Ties to Environmental Groups that Support the Green New Deal

The Sierra Club Has Endorsed Wooten for His 2020 State Senate Campaign

As shown by the following images from the group’s website, the Sierra Club has endorsed Wooten for his 2020 state Senate campaign.

“Endorsements,” sierraclub.org (red box added; accessed on 5/21/2020)

The Sierra Club Endorsed the Green New Deal Calling It a “Bold Plan” to “Tackle the Climate Crisis” – the Sierra Club Brags that It Is “Mobilizing Its More than 3.5 Million Members” to Pass the Green New Deal

In February 2019, the Sierra Club published a press release applauding Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for introducing Green New Deal resolutions in Congress.

The press release stated, “The Sierra Club endorsed these Green New Deal resolutions and is mobilizing its more than 3.5 million members and supporters to encourage broad congressional backing for the resolutions.”

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PRESS RELEASE HEADLINE: Sierra Club Applauds Markey And Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Resolutions

Today, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced joint resolutions in the Senate and House, respectively, that unveiled a bold plan for a Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis, create millions of good, high-wage jobs, secure clean air and water, and counteract systemic injustices.

The Sierra Club endorsed these Green New Deal resolutions and is mobilizing its more than 3.5 million members and supporters to encourage broad congressional backing for the resolutions.

Today’s resolutions outline 14 Green New Deal projects, including proposals to “repair and upgrade U.S. infrastructure,” retrofit buildings, “build resiliency against climate change- related disasters,” “meet 100 percent of our power demand through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources,” restore our ecosystems, and “spur massive growth in clean U.S. manufacturing.” The resolutions make clear that specific policies to implement these projects must be developed via an inclusive process, “led by frontline and vulnerable communities and workers.”

The Sierra Club will continue working with a broad array of partners, frontline communities, and members of Congress -- as it has for much of the past year -- to help build alignment and momentum behind the Green New Deal goals and projects named in today’s resolutions. “Sierra Club Applauds Markey And Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Resolutions,” Sierra Club Press Release, February 7, 2019 (emphasis added)

The Green New Deal Plan Proposed by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 Includes a Medicare for All Single Payer Healthcare Program, among Other Components

It was widely reported that the Green New Deal plan proposed by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 includes a “Medicare for All” single payer healthcare program, among other components. For example, Fox Business published an article analyzing the specific language of the Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Green New Deal resolution. The article noted that Green New Deal included “High-quality health care” for all Americans (i.e. Medicare for All).

HEADLINE: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal blueprint is released: What to know

Since entering the political foray, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has made climate change a cornerstone of her agenda, embracing the notion of a Green New Deal.

And on Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., unveiled their Green New Deal resolution, broad legislation -- modeled after New Deal-era programs -- that promotes a significantly expanded federal role in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

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But that’s not the only demand included in the resolution, the framework of which was posted online by NPR on Thursday.

Ocasio-Cortez and Markey laid out expansive proposals to not only aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next three decades, but to guarantee millions of “good, high-wage jobs” while ensuring economic security for all Americans.

The resolution also calls for huge investments in climate-friendly infrastructure, in addition to protections for indigenous people, communities of color, the poor and others considered to be a part of a “vulnerable community.”

Other notable goals proposed in the resolution include:…

"High-quality health care" for all Americans. “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal blueprint is released: What to know,” Fox Business, February 7, 2019 (emphasis added)

In February 2019, the Washington Free Beacon Reported that the Green New Deal Could Cost Up to $94.4 Trillion over 10 Years – Costing Each Household in the U.S. more than $600,000

In February 2019, the Washington Free Beacon reported that a study by the American Action Forum had found that the Green New Deal could cost up to $94.4 trillion over 10 tears to implement. This would cost each household in the U.S. more than $600,000 over ten years.

A major part of this $94.4 trillion cost estimate is the cost of implementing the Green New Deal’s Medicare for All component: “Universal Health Care, or a Medicare-for-all type plan, would cost $36 trillion over 10 years…”

HEADLINE: Study: Green New Deal Would Cost Up to $94 Trillion

The "Green New Deal" would cost up to $94.4 trillion, or over $600,000 per household in the United States, according to a new study.

The American Action Forum study offers a conservative estimate of the costs of providing every resident in the country a federal job with benefits, "adequate" housing, "healthy food," and health care.

Though Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D., N.Y.) plan is vague on specifics, it calls for the "economic transformation" of the United States, a complete overhaul of transportation systems, and retrofitting every single building. A supplemental document explaining the plan, since deleted from her website after it was widely mocked on social media, called for economic security for everyone, even those "unwilling to work," the elimination of air travel, and "farting cows."

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However, the American Action Forum was able to calculate estimates for several items the plan does propose, including guaranteed green housing, universal health care, and food security. Estimates of specific goals identified in the Green New Deal would cost each household in America between $36,100 and $65,300 every year.

"The American Action Forum's analysis shows that the Green New Deal would bankrupt the nation," said Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

"On the upper end, every American household would have to pay $65,000 per year to foot the bill," he said. "The total price tag would be $93 trillion over 10 years. That is roughly four times the value of all Fortune 500 companies combined. That's no deal."…

The American Action Forum calculated guaranteed green housing would cost between $1.6 trillion and $4.2 trillion; a federal jobs guarantee between $6.8 trillion and $44.6 trillion; a net zero emissions transportation system between $1.3 trillion and $2.7 trillion; a low-carbon electricity grid for $5.4 trillion; and "food security" for $1.5 billion.

Enough high-speed rail "to make air travel unnecessary," would cost roughly $1.1 to $2.5 trillion. Universal Health Care, or a Medicare-for-all type plan, would cost $36 trillion over 10 years, totaling $260,000 per household in the United States.

Many of the figures are conservative estimates. For instance, researchers assumed obtaining a low-carbon electricity grid would require no new construction of transmission assets, when in actuality, such a grid would require new infrastructure.

"The Green New Deal is clearly very expensive," the American Action Forum said. "Its further expansion of the federal government's role in some of the most basic decisions of daily life, however, would likely have a more lasting and damaging impact than its enormous price tag."

In all, the plan would cost between $52.6 trillion and $94.4 trillion, over 10 years. The burden to the taxpayer would amount to between $361,010 and $653,010 for each household over 10 years.

Electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket under such a plan. “Study: Green New Deal Would Cost Up to $94 Trillion,” Washington Free Beacon, February 25, 2020

Sen. Bernie Sanders Proposed Paying for the Green New Deal by Increasing Taxes by Trillions of Dollars – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Proposed a 70% Wealth Tax to Pay for the Green New Deal

Sen. Bernie Sanders has proposed paying for the Green New Deal by increasing taxes by trillions of dollars.

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HEADLINE: Bernie’s Plan to Pay for Proposals Only Covers Fraction of Costs

Facing mounting pressure to explain how he will raise enough revenue to cover the largest peacetime budget in American history, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in advance of Tuesday evening's debate released a plan outlining how he will pay for his proposals. The plan, which debuted Monday evening, projects additional revenue of more than $37 trillion over the next 10 years, the product of a cross-section of aggressive new taxes on everyday Americans as well as the top percentile of earners. That figure pales in comparison to the tens of trillions Sanders expects to spend over the next 10 years, leaving a substantial budget shortfall even under the rosiest of assumptions…

In total, the plan covers seven major components of Sanders's agenda: Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, universal college and canceling student debt, universal pre-k, universal public housing, expanding Social Security, and eliminating medical debt. Its $37 trillion of added tax revenue reflects a bevy of old proposals—especially Sanders's wealth tax—as well as new details on, for example, Sanders's projected revenue from Green New Deal jobs…

Even under Sanders's most optimistic assumptions, massive shortfalls remain. For example, the campaign indicated that it expects to bring in $4.35 trillion per year from the wealth tax. But the right-leaning Tax Foundation estimates that it will only bring in $3.2 trillion per year, due to higher rates of tax avoidance. That would leave Sanders with $10 trillion less over a decade than he expects. “Bernie’s Plan to Pay for Proposals Only Covers Fraction of Costs,” Washington Free Beacon, February 25, 2020

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a 70% wealth tax to pay for the Green New Deal.

HEADLINE: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez floats 70% tax on wealthy to pay for ‘Green New Deal’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York says her plan to transition the United States away from fossil fuels would require people to “start paying their fair share in taxes.”

That could mean taxing the wealthiest Americans at a rate of 60-70 percent, the freshman Congresswoman told CBS’s “60 Minutes” in an interview scheduled to air on Sunday. Ocasio-Cortez has put forward a “Green New Deal” that includes generating all of the nation’s power from renewable sources, building a national smart grid and entirely eliminating industrial greenhouse gas emissions. A proposal from the democratic socialist lawmaker calls for achieving those goals within 10 years.

In the “60 Minutes” interview, Ocasio-Cortez acknowledges that taxes would have to rise to underwrite the necessary investments. Asked for a specific proposal, Ocasio-Cortez suggested the plan might require returning to policies that preceded the overhauls of the 1980s, which significantly reduced the top income tax rate. “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez floats 70% tax on wealthy to pay for ‘Green New Deal’,” CNBC, January 4, 2019

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Environmental Group Megadonor Fred Stanback Contributed $5,400 to Wooten’s 2020 State Senate Campaigns

On January 31, 2020, Fred Stanback contributed $5,400, to Wooten’s 2020 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed February 25, 2020

A November 2017 Washington Examiner opinion article described Fred Stanback as a megadonor to environmental groups who has been “actively combating development and resource extraction.”

OPINION ARTICLE HEADLINE: The troubling links between environmentalists and population control extremists

U.S. environmental organizations are perceived by many as independent voices within policy and political debates. They have historically championed land and resource protection, air and water pollution standards, and conservation of unique plant and animal species.

In recent years, however, many environmental organizations have raised their profiles by actively combating development and resource extraction, even in cases when it is lawfully permitted by federal and state governments and regulators…

E&E Legal released new research that details how major environmental nongovernment organizations (ENGOs) both in the U.S. and U.K. are being funded by a few ultra-wealthy population control extremists in the U.S, but influencing policy on both sides of the Atlantic. This new report from E&E Legal and the U.K.-based Taxpayers’ Alliance details how billionaires like Fred Stanback, heir to the Stanback headache powder fortune, are quietly funding ENGOs to further his controversial ideological agenda.

ENGOs like the Asheville-based Dogwood Alliance, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which are active in both the U.K. and U.S. have received significant funding from another nonprofit, the Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC), a nonprofit “community foundation.” As the new report details, Stanback and other extremists are funneling donations through the FFTC because the FFTC administers donor-directed funds. That fund structure offers Stanback control over the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars from the FFTC…

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The scale of Stanback’s influence in environmental circles is best illustrated by the sheer size of his funding. Stanback’s 2014 donation of over $397 million to FFTC in “non-cash” contributions would rank as the third- on MarketWatch’s annual list of the largest charitable donations, had they been public. That donation actually accounted for 64 percent of FFTC’s total grant revenue that year. Since 2014 alone, FFTC has funded, the Southern Environmental Law Center for $57,000,000, NRDC for $25,000,000, Friends of the Earth for $6,000,000, Greenpeace for $3,000,000, and the Dogwood Alliance for over $2,000,000. Craig Richardson Opinion Article, “The troubling links between environmentalists and population control extremists,” Washington Examiner, November 4, 2017 (emphasis added)

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E.3 – Contributions from Trial Lawyers

NC Advocates for Justice Contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – NC Advocates for Justice Is the State’s Trial Lawyer Association

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, NC Advocates for Justice contributed $500 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

According to its website, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice “represent those injured by the wrongdoing of others, workers fighting for their rights in the workplace, the disabled, those addressing family problems, consumers, those in debt, and those accused of crime.”

For over 50 years, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) has protected individual rights in North Carolina. NCAJ members, now 3,500 strong, represent those injured by the wrongdoing of others, workers fighting for their rights in the workplace, the disabled, those addressing family problems, consumers, those in debt, and those accused of crime. They include attorneys, legal assistants, law school faculty and students, and law office managers.

The North Carolina Advocates for Justice accomplishes its mission through effective advocacy work in the NC state legislature advocating for the rights of all citizens, through the development of various legal publications and over 40 professional development seminars annually to help attorneys improve their skills, and through the administration of a variety of public outreach initiatives aimed at enhancing public understanding of the U.S. legal system. The organization's Legal Affairs Committee also monitors the development of law and serves as a trial attorney advocate to the State Bar. “About Us,” ncaj.com (emphasis added; accessed on 4/20/2020)

Individual Trial Lawyers Have Contributed a Total of $2,000 to Wooten’s State Senate Campaigns in 2018 and 2020

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, trial lawyers have contributed a total of $2,000 to Wooten’s State Senate campaigns in 2018 and 2020. The following table provides a summary of trial lawyer contributions to his state senate campaigns.

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TRIAL LAWYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOHN (JD) WOOTEN FROM 2017 TO PRESENT Trial Lawyer Total Contributions Mike Newman $1,250 Perry Henson $500 Robert M. Elliot $250 TOTAL $2,000 Source: “Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov

Each trial lawyer is discussed in further detail below.

Mike Newman Contributed a Total of $1,250 to Wooten’s State Senate Campaigns – Mike Newman Specializes in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Mike Newman contributed a total of $1,250 to Wooten’s 2018 and 2020 State Senate campaigns.

MIKE NEWMAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOHN (JD) WOOTEN FROM 2018 TO PRESENT Recipient Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Employer Contributor Date Amount Occupation Citizens for JD Mike Newman 26 Scioto Ln Van Camp Meacham Attorney 4/5/2018 $500 Wooten Pinehurst, NC 28374- and Newman, PLLC 9165 Citizens for JD Mike Newman 26 Scioto Ln Van Camp Meacham Attorney 7/16/2018 $250 Wooten Pinehurst, NC 28374- and Newman, PLLC 9165 Citizens for JD Mike Newman 26 Scioto Ln Van Camp Meacham Attorney 2/18/2019 $500 Wooten Pinehurst, NC 28374- and Newman, PLLC 9165 TOTAL $1,250 Source: “Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov

The following image shows Mike Newman’s most recent contribution to Wooten. On February 18, 2019, Mike Newman contributed $500 to Wooten.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Files July 10, 2019

Mike Newman is an attorney with Van Camp Meacham and Newman, PLLC. Newman specializes in wrongful death and personal injury cases.

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“Michael J. Newman,” vancamplaw.com (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Van Camp Meacham and Newman, PLLC specializes in auto accidents and hit and run accidents.

“Car Accidents,” vancamplaw.com (accessed on 5/26/2020; image 1 of 2)

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“Car Accidents,” vancamplaw.com (accessed on 5/26/2020; image 2 of 2)

Perry Henson Contributed a Total of $500 to Wooten’s State Senate Campaigns – Perry Henson Is a Managing Partner at Henson & Talley LLP Specializing in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Perry Henson contributed a total of $500 to Wooten’s 2018 and 2020 State Senate campaigns.

PERRY HENSON CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOHN (JD) WOOTEN FROM 2018 TO PRESENT Recipient Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Employer Contributor Date Amount Occupation Citizens for JD Perry C. 3523 Primrose Ave Henson & Talley LLP Attorney 2/12/2020 $250 Wooten Henson Jr. Greensboro, NC 27408- 3192 Citizens for JD Perry Henson 3523 Primrose Ave Henson & Talley LLP Attorney 6/5/2018 $250 Wooten Greensboro, NC 27408- 3192 TOTAL $500 Source: “Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov

The following image shows Perry Henson’s most recent contribution to Wooten. On February 12, 2020, Mike Newman contributed $250 to Wooten.

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Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed February 25, 2020

Perry Henson is a managing partner at Henson & Talley LLP specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

“Perry C. Henson,” hensonlawyers.com (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Henson & Talley LLP specializes in representing accident victims.

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“Homepage,” hensonlawyers.com (accessed on 5/26/2020)

Robert Elliot Contributed $250 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – Robert Elliot Is a Partner at EMP Law and Specializes in Personal Injury Claims

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Robert Elliot contributed $250 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

According to his biography, Robert Elliot is a partner at EMP Law specializing in personal injury claims.

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“Robert M. Elliot,” emplawfirm.com (accessed on 5/21/2020)

Practicing over 38 years, Robert (Hoppy) Elliot has built an impressive career in a variety of complex legal fields, including employment law, disability (LTD) claims, civil rights work, personal injury claims, and commercial and business issues.

Hoppy is at home in the courtroom, having argued one of his client’s cases in the United States Supreme Court and won. He has represented clients in numbers of jury trials and hearings before state and federal judges in courts across North Carolina and the region. Along with his partner, Griff Morgan, and co-counsel, Frank Goldsmith, Hoppy took his devotion to the rule of law to the Guantanamo prison, representing detainees who had languished for years without counsel. “Robert M. Elliot,” emplawfirm.com (emphasis added; accessed on 5/21/2020)

EMP Law specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

“Personal Injury,” emplawfirm.com (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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E.4 – Endorsed by Planned Parenthood / Abortion Issues

According to His 2020 Campaign Website, Wooten Has Been Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic

Wooten’s 2020 campaign website features an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic.

“2020 NC Senate Endorsements,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/22/2020)

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund Website Lists Wooten as One of Its “North Carolina Endorsed Candidates” Who “Can Be Counted on to Stand up to Ensure Access to…Legal Abortion”

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund Website lists Wooten as one of its “North Carolina Endorsed Candidates” who “can be counted on to stand up to ensure access to birth control, medically- accurate sexual health education and safe, legal abortion.”

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“North Carolina Endorsed Candidates,” Plannedparenthoodaction.org (accessed on 5/26/2020)

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support the Prohibition of Public Funds for Organizations that Perform Abortions?”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “No” to the question “Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?”

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“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

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E.5 – LGTB Issues

Equality NC, a Pro-LGTB Org, Endorsed Wooten for His 2018 and 2020 State Senate Campaigns

In April 2018, Wooten tweeted about his endorsement from Equality NC for his 2018 campaign for State Senate.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, April 12, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

Wooten’s 2020 campaign website also features an endorsement from Equality NC.

“2020 NC Senate Endorsements,” jdwooten.com (accessed on 5/26/2020; red box added)

According to its website, Equality NC is “dedicated to securing the rights and protections for the LGTB community.”

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“Homepage,” equalitync.org (accessed on 5/26/2020)

In an October 2018 Facebook Post, Wooten Praised a Federal Court Decision to Allow Transgender People to Use Public Facilities

In 2016, the North Carolina legislature passed HB 2. The bill was initially passed in response to the Charlotte City Council passing a new non-discrimination ordinance that required all private businesses, public buildings, churches, and schools in the city to allow men and women to use whichever locker room, changing facility, and bathroom they felt like using, without regard to their gender. (“Behind the Scenes: How Roy Cooper Blocked the Repeal of HB2,” philberger.org)

The legislature partially repealed HB 2 with HB 142 in 2017. (“North Carolina's HB142: Repeal? Compromise? What does it all mean,” CNN, March 30, 2017)

In an October 2018 Facebook Post, Wooten praised a federal court decision to allow transgender people to use public facilities. The ruling noted that HB 142 would no longer bar transgender people from using public restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity.

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JD Wooten for NC Senate, Facebook.com, October 1, 2018 (accessed on 5/26/2020)

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E.6 – Opposition to Education Reform

In May 2020, Wooten Filled Out the Candidate Questionnaire for the Organization “Public Schools First NC”

On May 5, 2020, Wooten filled out the 2020 Candidate questionnaire for the organization “Public Schools First NC.”

“PSFNC-Questionnaire-Response-JD-Wooten,” publicschoolsfirstnc.org (accessed on 5/26/2020)

On the “Public Schools First NC” Questionnaire, Wooten Supported “a Moratorium on New Charter Schools”

On the “Public Schools First NC” questionnaire, Wooten supported “a moratorium on new charter schools.”

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“PSFNC-Questionnaire-Response-JD-Wooten,” publicschoolsfirstnc.org (red box added; accessed on 5/26/2020)

On the “Public Schools First NC” Questionnaire, Wooten Supported “Phasing Out School Vouchers for Private Schools”

On the “Public Schools First NC” questionnaire, Wooten supported “phasing out school vouchers for private schools.”

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“PSFNC-Questionnaire-Response-JD-Wooten,” publicschoolsfirstnc.org (red box added; accessed on 5/26/2020)

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E.7 – Ties to NC Association of Educators, which Opposed Key GOP State Legislation

The North Carolina Association of Educators Contributed $200 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign

On October 19, 2018, the North Carolina Association of Educators contributed $200 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten [STA-07D2V7-C-001], NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

In 2018, North Carolina Association of Educators President Mark Jewel Opposed the North Carolina Bathroom Bill which Preempted Local Protections for LGBTQ People – Jewel Called the Bill Discriminatory

In 2018, North Carolina Association of Educators President Mark Jewell opposed the North Carolina bathroom bill which preempted local protections for LGBTQ people. Jewell called the bill discriminatory.

HEADLINE: After HB2, NC leaders remain divided about LGBTQ protections in the state

More than two years after a law limiting local protections for gay rights in North Carolina was enacted, leaders remain sharply split over whether House Bill 2 was needed and what protections should be afforded to LGBTQ people.

A narrow majority of NC Influencers surveyed said municipalities in the state should be able to extend nondiscrimination protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people if they want, an option that’s currently blocked under state law. But it’s clear that the legacy of House Bill 2, which became known as the “bathroom bill,” remains deeply divisive.

[continued on next page…]

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Some Republican respondents said HB2 was a common-sense measure to correct overreach by Charlotte’s government. A majority of survey respondents, including all Democrats, said it was an unnecessary piece of legislation that furthered discrimination…

The state legislature passed HB2 in 2016 to counteract a Charlotte ordinance protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination and allowing transgender people to use public restrooms that matched their gender identity. Opponents said the Charlotte ordinance would make it legal for criminals to follow women and children into bathrooms.

HB2 preempted local protections for LGBTQ people and forbade local nondiscrimination ordinances. It also blocked cities from setting their own minimum wage laws. Backlash to the bill was swift: Businesses criticized North Carolina, the NBA moved the All-Star Game out of Charlotte, the NCAA ruled the state couldn’t host future tournaments and PayPal canceled a 400-job expansion announced for Charlotte, among other moves…

Mark Jewell, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, agreed. “While we each have the right to our own religious beliefs those freedoms don’t give anyone the right to discriminate against or harm other people,” he said. “When businesses open their doors to the public, they must open them to everyone on the same terms. Discriminatory business practices hurt the economy overall by limiting people’s spending power.” “After HB2, NC leaders remain divided about LGBTQ protections in the state,” Charlotte Observer, October 29, 2018 (emphasis added)

The North Carolina Association of Educators is a state affiliate of the National Education Association. (“History of NCAE,” ncae.org/who-we-are)

In October 2015, the state affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA) overwhelmingly endorsed Hillary Clinton for President and “all 69 of North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) votes went to Hillary.”

BLOG HEADLINE: NCAE “all in” for Hillary Clinton

State affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA) voted to officially endorse Hillary Clinton. Mike Antonucci provides the details of the NEA PAC Council vote here.

All 69 of North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) votes went to Hillary. That will not sit well with certain factions within the NCAE. “NCAE “all in” for Hillary Clinton,” The Locker Room Blog, October 5, 2015

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In March 2020, the National Education Association Endorsed Joe Biden for President

On March 14, 2020, Buzzfeed News reported that the National Education Association endorsed Joe Biden for President.

HEADLINE: Joe Biden Won The Endorsement Of The Nation’s Largest Union

The National Education Association made the endorsement on Saturday. Other large teachers unions have avoided making endorsements on behalf of their members thus far.

Joe Biden won the endorsement of the nation’s largest union on Saturday, adding to his surge of support from unions, members of Congress, and elected officials around the country…

She added that Biden’s K–12 and higher education plans, along with his commitment to raising teachers’ salaries and funding support staff positions. Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, was a teacher both in public high schools and community college.

“Biden has championed public education throughout this campaign and beyond. He and Dr. Jill Biden, herself an educator and NEA member, have consistently reached out to NEA members across the country building the broad support among NEA members,” Eskelsen García said. “He attended all three of NEA’s presidential forums, including in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Texas, as well as sat for a video interview to make his case to educators.” “Joe Biden Won The Endorsement Of The Nation’s Largest Union,” Buzzfeed News, March 14, 2020 (emphasis added)

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E.8 – Drug Legalization / Public Safety

In March 2020, the DLCC Twitter Account Asked Wooten What Criminal Justice Policies Need to Be Enacted – In Response, Wooten Called for the State to “Reassess Criminalization” of Drug Offenses

In one such question, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Twitter account asked Wooten what criminal justice reform policies need to be enacted “regardless of the public health crisis.”

Wooten tweeted his response calling for the state to “reassess criminalization” of “drug” offense and other “non-violent” crimes.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, March 31, 2020 (emphasis added; 5/26/2020)

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “Yes” to the Question “Do You Support the Legalization of Marijuana for Recreational Purposes?”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

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According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “Yes” to the question “Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?”

“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

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According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Filled-Out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” Questionnaire for the 2018 Election – According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten Answered “No” to the Question “Do You Support Requiring Welfare Applicants to Pass a Drug Test in Order to Receive Benefits?”

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “No” to the question “Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?”

“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

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According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018).

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten answered “No” to the question “Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?”

Wooten also answered “No” to the question “Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?”

“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

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Robert Elliot Contributed $250 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate Campaign – Robert Elliot Is a Partner at EMP Law and Has Represented Guantanamo Bay Prisoners, Including a High-Ranking Official with the Taliban

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Robert Elliot contributed $250 to Wooten’s 2018 State Senate campaign.

Citizens for JD Wooten (STA-07D2V7-C-001), NCSBE Disclosure Report, Filed October 29, 2019

According to his biography, Robert Elliot is a partner at EMP Law and has defended Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

“Robert M. Elliot,” emplawfirm.com (accessed on 5/21/2020)

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According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Elliot represented Guantanamo Bay prisoners including a high-ranking official with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

HEADLINE: Winston-Salem lawyers honored for work with Guantanamo Bay detainees

Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was beautiful and ugly at the same time, Winston-Salem lawyers Robert "Hoppy" Elliot and Griffin Morgan said.

Elliot remembers sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Morgan saw elementary schools and a McDonald's restaurant on the U.S. Navy base where the notorious prison is…

Morgan and Elliot are partners in the Winston-Salem law firm Elliot Pishko Morgan, and along with lawyer Frank Goldsmith of Marion, they represented five detainees at Guantanamo Bay, including a former high-ranking official with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The law firm recently won the Defenders of Justice Award from the N.C. Justice Center, partly for the firm's work on behalf of the Guantanamo Bay detainees. The firm also was recognized for the work of one of its attorneys, Helen Parsonage, to win asylum for two men from Armenia who were detained and beaten because of their sexual orientation. And the law firm helped reverse a woman's death sentence.

The Guantanamo Bay prison holds about 170 detainees, but at its peak it held 779. The Bush and Obama administrations have released 600 detainees, and eight have died, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tanya Bradsher, a Guantanamo spokeswoman.

Four of the detainees the law firm represented have been released, including two immediately after the attorneys got involved. They're waiting on a federal judge to issue his decision on the fifth detainee, Khairfullah Khairkhwa, a former Taliban official, after a March hearing in U.S. District Court. Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan, has called for his release back to the country to join reconciliation talks between the government and the Taliban.

One of the four detainees to be released, known only as Sharifullah, was released two years ago after being picked up during a military raid. He had served in the Palace Guard in Afghanistan and had wanted to fight in the Afghan army. The attorneys had been close to getting an evidentiary hearing when the Obama administration ordered him released. “Winston-Salem lawyers honored for work with Guantanamo Bay detainees,” Winston-Salem Journal, May 30, 2011 (emphasis added)

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E.9 – Opposition to Trade War with China

In August 2018, Wooten Tweeted, “Trump’s Trade War Is Hurting Car and Motorcycle Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Companies, and Even Toy Manufacturing”

On August 5, 2018, Wooten tweeted, “Trump’s trade war is hurting car and motorcycle manufacturing, food and beverage companies, and even toy manufacturing.”

Wooten accused President Trump of lying to the American people.

@JDWootenNC, Twitter.com, June 17, 2018 (accessed on 5/22/2020)

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APPENDIX A: Contributions Made to Others

Federal Contributions Made to Others

The Federal Election Commission online campaign finance database was searched for contributions from individuals named “John Wooten” and “JD Wooten” and his affiliated business, “Wooten & Sons.” (“FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov) The searches were further narrowed to ensure that either the full name (JD Wooten, John D. Wooten, or John D. Wooten IV) or occupation (attorney) matched that of the JD Wooten who is the subject of this research report.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL OFFICE FROM 2000 TO PRESENT Committee Name Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink)

ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 1/5/20 $25 202002219201827966 Earmarked for Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 12/28/19 $50 202001299175522237 Earmarked for Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 11/20/19 $25 202001299175522237 Earmarked for Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP ActBlue – Wooten, 4817 Redland Ct., WOMBLE Attorney 11/3/19 $100 202001299175522258 Earmarked for Cal John McLeansville NC BOND for NC (C00709410) DICKINSON (US) LLP ActBlue - Wooten, 4817 Redland Ct., WOMBLE Attorney 10/18/19 $50 202001299175522257 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC Biden For President (C00703975) ActBlue – Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 8/13/19 $25 202001299175522237 Earmarked for Pete Greensboro NC BOND for America, Inc DICKINSON (C00697441) (US) LLP ActBlue - Wooten, 101 S Lindell Rd., WOMBLE Attorney 8/6/19 $5 202001299175522256 Earmarked for John Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 7/6/19 $15 202001299175522236 Earmarked for Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

ActBlue - Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 7/2/19 $5 202001299175522236 Earmarked for Greensboro NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., WOMBLE Attorney 6/29/19 $25 201907299157314512 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

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Committee Name Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 6/21/19 $25 201907299157314499 Earmarked for Cal Greensboro NC BOND for NC (C00709410) DICKINSON (US) LLP

ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., WOMBLE Attorney 6/16/19 $5 201907299157314511 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

ActBlue – Wooten, 101 S Lindell Rd., WOMBLE Attorney 6/14/19 $25 201907299157314511 Earmarked for Pete John Greensboro NC BOND for America, Inc DICKINSON (C00697441)

ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., WOMBLE Attorney 6/14/19 $25 201907299157314511 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

ActBlue – Wooten, JD PO Box 5191, WOMBLE Attorney 6/14/19 $15 201907299157314499 Earmarked for Beto Greensboro NC BOND for America DICKINSON (C00699090) (US) LLP

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 6/13/19 $25 201907299157314498 Earmarked for Seth Greensboro NC Moulton for America Inc (C00704510)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 5/29/19 $25 201907299157314498 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Kamala Harris for the People (C00694455)

ActBlue – Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., WOMBLE Attorney 5/25/19 $20 201907299157314510 Earmarked for Beto John McLeansville NC BOND for America DICKINSON (C00699090) (US) LLP

ActBlue - Wooten, 1607 Hargrove Dr., WOMBLE Attorney 5/23/19 $25 201907299157314510 Earmarked for John McLeansville NC BOND Biden For President DICKINSON (C00703975) (US) LLP

ActBlue - Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 4/25/19 $25 201907299157314498 Earmarked for Greensboro NC Biden For President (C00703975)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 4/24/19 $25 201907299157314497 Earmarked for Seth Greensboro NC Moulton for America, Inc (C00704510)

North Carolina Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 4/23/19 $500 201905209149819641 Democratic Party - Greensboro NC Federal

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 4/6/19 $25 201907299157314497 Earmarked for Pete Greensboro NC for America, Inc (C00697441)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 3/14/19 $25 201907299157314496 Earmarked for Beto Greensboro NC for America (C00699090)

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Committee Name Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Contributor Date Amount Campaign Finance Employer Occupation Report Image where Contribution Appears (with Hyperlink)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WOMBLE Attorney 10/4/17 $125 201711209086854526 Earmarked for Greensboro NC CARLYLE North Carolina SANDRIDGE Democratic Party - & RICE LLP Federal (C00165688)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 9/23/17 $15 201804119105942436 Earmarked for Greensboro NC DCCC (C00000935) ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 9/17/17 $125 201804119105942436 Earmarked for Greensboro NC North Carolina Democratic Party - Federal (C00165688)

ActBlue – Wooten, JD 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 9/5/17 $25 201804119105942436 Earmarked for Greensboro NC North Carolina Democratic Party - Federal (C00165688) TOTAL $1,405 Source: “FEC Receipts Search,” fec.gov

State Contributions Made to Others

The North Carolina State Board of Elections online campaign finance database was searched for contributions from individuals named “John Wooten” and “JD Wooten” and his affiliated business, “Wooten & Sons.” (“Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.ncsbe.gov) The searches were further narrowed to ensure that either the full name (JD Wooten, John D. Wooten, or John D. Wooten IV) or occupation (attorney) matched that of the JD Wooten who is the subject of this research report. Contributions made by Wooten to his personal campaign accounts have been omitted.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN (JD) WOOTEN TO STATE-LEVEL COMMITTEES FROM 2000 TO PRESENT Committee Name Contributor Contributor Address Contributor Employer Contributor Date Amount Occupation Elect Nicole Quick J D Wooten P O BOX 5191, Womble Bond Attorney 9/18/2019 $250 for NC Greensboro NC Dickinson (US) LLP Guilford DEC John David Wooten 204 Wilson Street, WCSR Attorney 8/9/2019 $500 Greensboro NC Toole for NC John Wooten 204 Wilson Street, , Womber, Bond & Attorney 3/6/2019 $500 Greensboro NC Dickinson Guilford DEC John David Wooten 1607 Hargrove Dr., WCSR Attorney 8/19/2018 $500 McLeansville NC The Committee to JD Wooten 204 Wilson Street, Womble Carlyle Attorney 10/12/2017 $100 Elect Dave Wils Greensboro NC Sandridge & Rice, LLP The Committee to John Wooten 204 Wilson Street, Womble Carlyle Attorney 9/19/2017 $100 Elect Dave Wils Greensboro NC Sandridge & Rice, LLP Guilford DEC John David Wooten 1607 Hargrove Dr., WCSR Attorney 9/17/2017 $125 McLeansville NC TOTAL $2,075 Source: “Transaction Search by Entity,” cf.NCsbe.gov

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APPENDIX B: “JD Wooten IV’s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test),” VoteSmart.org

According to VoteSmart.org, Wooten filled out the Vote Smart “Political Courage Test” questionnaire for the 2018 Election (Wooten ran unsuccessfully for SD 24 in 2018). This document is included in full below:

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“North Carolina State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test – JD Wooten,” justfacts.votesmart.org (highlighting added; accessed on 5/27/2020)

166