N.C. Senate candidates clash over controversial campaign ad

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The race for a North Carolina state Senate seat is heating up over a controversial attack ad produced by incumbent Michael Lee.

The ad targets Democrat Jessica Bichler, a Wilmington yoga studio owner. The ad uses AI-generated images and accuses Bichler of supporting policies including defunding police and providing free health care to undocumented immigrants.

The Lee campaign also cites the American Friends Service Committee in the ad, claiming the group supports Bichler and hosted a kickoff event for her campaign.

Bichler denies having any connection to the organization. She says the link used by Lee’s campaign was the result of a Google cache error.

Bichler has since sent the Lee campaign a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the ads be removed. She called the ad a disappointing display of character from a sitting politician.

“It is really a low-ball shot for a sitting senator to use such shoddy work to try to make fun of their opponent,” Bichler said. “I think that the images were bizarre and somewhat suggestive in a way that was inappropriate.”

Bichler also disputed the claims made in the advertisement, saying it was based on what she called a falsehood and questioning how the Lee campaign vetted its sources.

Lee’s campaign says it is looking into the online link that appeared to promote Bichler’s campaign kickoff, saying it may have been an error or typo.

Regarding the cease-and-desist letter, Lee’s campaign says it has received the letter and is reviewing it.