NC GOP issues apology for mailer in House race

SANFORD, NC (AP) — The North Carolina Republican Party has sent an apology for a mailer last fall targeting a Democratic incumbent in a legislative race.

The party sent a mailer last week expressing regret for any distress or embarrassment caused to former Rep. Jimmy Love, his family and supporters. The Sanford Herald said the retraction came after Love threatened a libel lawsuit over the negative mailer. Love lost to Republican Mike Stone in November.

Love said the new mailer was part of a settlement reached with the state GOP. He declined to discuss specifics.

The state GOP also paid for an original mailer that called Love a “swindler” while selling land he owned to the state Department of Transportation. Love said the land was owned by another man.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)