In a controversial political advertisement, a super PAC backing Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley features poignant testimonials that appear to draw an erroneous connection between the tragic murder of a young woman and the actions of his Democratic opponent, current Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina. The ad features a heart-wrenching account from Stephen Federico, whose daughter, Logan Federico, was murdered in 2025. The ad insinuates that Cooper is implicated in the crime due to his decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding prisoner releases.
In the advertisement, Federico describes the horrifying details of his daughter’s death during a home invasion in South Carolina. While he expresses deep sorrow, the implication that Cooper is responsible due to his role in a prisoner release initiative during the pandemic is starkly misleading. In fact, the individual accused of Logan Federico’s murder was released from a prison in South Carolina, not North Carolina, dismantling the narrative that links Cooper to this tragic incident.
The ad claims that Cooper released “3,500 criminals” from prison, a figure that emerges from a court settlement reached during the pandemic. However, crucial context is missing from this assertion. Throughout this period, Cooper faced substantial pressure to release prisoners but resisted early calls to do so for the sake of community safety. Legal action taken by the ACLU and activist groups compelled him to reach a settlement, leading to the release of approximately 3,500 individuals due to pressures related to overcrowding and health concerns amid rising COVID-19 cases.
Analysis reveals that many of those released would have exited the system by the end of the same year on the basis of sentence completion, underlining that the narrative employed by the ad distorts the reality of Cooper’s actions. Notably, most of the individuals cited as being implicated in subsequent violent crimes, including 18 murders referenced in the advertisement, had previous legal histories unrelated to Cooper’s policies.
Amidst this politically charged atmosphere, both Cooper and Whatley are campaigning for an open Senate seat previously held by retiring Republican Thom Tillis. The election, characterized by a keen contest for the seat, has centered around various key issues, including criminal justice reform, with Cooper’s campaign branding the ad as a fearmongering tactic aimed at garnering political leverage rather than a genuine concern for public safety.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that the narrative surrounding these events will play a critical role in shaping voter perceptions leading up to the election.
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