Politics & Government

Chairman Of NC Elections Board Resigns After Trump Criticisms Emerge

by Paul Garber

In this Nov. 7, 2018, file photo Mark Harris speaks to the media during a news conference in Matthews, N.C. North Carolina election officials agreed Friday, Nov. 30, to hold a public hearing into alleged “numerous irregularities” and “concerted fraudulent activities” involving traditional mail-in absentee ballots in the 9th Congressional District, apparently in two rural counties. Republican Harris leads Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes from nearly 283,000 cast in all or parts of eight south-central counties reaching from Charlotte to near Fayetteville. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

The chairman of the state's elections board has resigned.

Andy Penry is stepping down after complaints over online criticisms he made about President Donald Trump.

Wake County GOP Chairman Charles Hellwig provided images of what appear to be tweets from Penry's account this year criticizing Trump and a proposed constitutional amendment. Hellwig cited state law prohibiting board members from publicly opposing candidates and referendums.

Penry, a Democrat, said he was leaving the elections and ethics enforcement board because he did not want to undermine an ongoing probe.

The investigation is looking at potential wrongdoing in the state's 9th Congressional District. The board is investigating alleged fraudulent activity related to mail-in absentee ballots.

Republican Mark Harris narrowly won that election, but the board has not yet certified the results. If the board finds wrongdoing, it could order a new election.

Penry's resignation was first reported by The Washington Post.

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