Husband of Wilmington City Councilwoman accused of inappropriate behavior, sexual harrassment

3 hours ago

Conor Doherty,

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The husband of a Wilmington City Council member is facing a formal grievance from his own party over allegations of inappropriate behavior at political events.

According to a source close to the investigation, the New Hanover County Democratic Party has filed a grievance against David Andrews, a precinct chair and the husband of Wilmington City Councilwoman Salette Andrews, citing multiple incidents of alleged misconduct.

According to the grievance, Andrews is accused of acting inappropriately while intoxicated at several events, including fundraisers for former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. During one fundraiser on September 1oth, 2025, Andrews allegedly loudly confronted New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker and spoke negatively about Wilmington City Council member David Joyner, a colleague of his wife.

Andrews then later berated Joyner in front of multiple people as Joyner was trying to leave the event.

At another Cooper fundraiser on December 16th, 2025, Andrews is accused of confronting New Hanover County Democratic Party Chair Jill Hopman, calling her a “terrible leader.” Andrews also accused Hopman of favoring opponents his wife was going against in the primary, and threatened to file a grievance against her. The grievance says Hopman “wondered if he would hit her.”

NHCDP Grievance Page 1

The first page of the grievance against David Andrews made by the New Hanover County Democratic Party (Contributed)

The first page of the grievance against David Andrews made by the New Hanover County Democratic Party (Contributed)

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The grievance also outlines additional allegations, including inappropriate touching and comments directed toward women. Among those cited are a current Democratic candidate for clerk of superior court, Jennie Wells Thompson, who says Andrews spoke to her while intoxicated and touched her inappropriately.

The grievance also spoke about two incidents that occurred during the 2024 election.

The complaint has been submitted to the state Democratic Party’s Council of Review, which has been asked to consider removing Andrews from his role as precinct chair and banning him from future New Hanover County Democratic Party events.

Requests for comment from Salette Andrews were not immediately returned.