North Carolina governor caught on hot mic telling Joe Biden they'll drag disgraced Senate candidate across the line



The Democratic governor of North Carolina was caught on a hot microphone moment telling presidential candidate Joe Biden that they would drag a disgraced candidate across the line to keep a seat in the Democratic column.

Gov. Roy Cooper was meeting with Biden on the campaign trail when the comments were accidentally caught.

Cal Cunningham's campaign to unseat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis was roiled when inappropriate texts between him and a Californian public relations strategist were published. Cunningham is married with two children.

Cooper promised Biden that they would drag him across the line in the election despite the "frustrating" scandal.

"Thanks for coming out, you didn't have to do this," Biden said in the video as they are both wearing masks.

"No I wanted to, I wanted to express my strong support for you, and I think we're all going to get across the line," said Cooper in the video on the tarmac. "I think Cal's going to get across the line, too."

Biden's reply is unintelligible in the video.

"I know that's frustrating, but we'll get it across," Cooper responded.

Cunningham addressed the texts and apologized to the voters and his family, but said that he would stay in the race.

"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry," Cunningham said in a statement on Oct. 2.

"The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do," he continued. "I ask that my family's privacy be respected in this personal matter. I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."

Later, the sexting partner told the Associated Press that she and Cunningham had an intimate physical relationship in addition to the text exchanges.

Then, allegations emerged of a second affair between Cunningham and an unidentified woman in a separate report from National File on Oct. 5.

Polls showed Cunningham still remained ahead of Tillis even after the damaging sexting scandal.

North Carolina's Senate race is the most expensive Senate race ever, with more than $242 million spent on ads, according to Advertising Analytics, the Associated Press reported.

Here's more about the Cunningham sexting scandal:

Cal Cunningham personal scandal roils North Carolina Senate racewww.youtube.com

Cal Cunningham refuses to answer — several times — whether he has had more affairs



North Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham (D) held his first press conference Friday since admitting to sexting a woman other than his wife, but refused several times to answer whether he had been involved with additional women outside of his marriage.

What are the details?

Cunningham — a married father of two who is running to unseat incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R) — admitted a week ago to engaging in sexually-charged text messages with a California public relations strategist named Arlene Guzman Todd.

As TheBlaze previously reported, Guzman Todd "is married to Jeremy Todd, who like Cunningham is a military veteran, reportedly served 15 years in the Army."

Guzman Todd later told the Associated Press that her affair with Cunningham was also physical.

While Cunningham has remained mum on the topic for several days, National File, the outlet that broke the news on his sexting scandal, published claims from a former Cunningham supporter and attorney that the Democrat had been carrying on an affair with another woman since 2012 who was "devastated" after learning of his relationship with Guzman Todd.

During the press conference on Friday, Cunningham was asked repeatedly by reporters whether or not there are more women who might come forward.

Local outlet WNCN-TV counted four times that the Senate candidate refused to answer the question, dodging by saying that he had already taken responsibility for the hurt he has caused, that "people are tired of hearing about personal issues," and that Tillis was trying to redirect the conversation away from the Republican's own record.

Cal Cunningham doesn't answer specific questions about other potential affairswww.youtube.com

Politico's Burgess Everett reported: "'I've said what I'm going to say about it,' Cunningham concludes when asked if there are more women and if this might hang over his head."

"I've said what I'm going to say about it," Cunningham concludes when asked if there are more women and if this might hang over his head.
— Burgess Everett (@Burgess Everett)1602265444.0

Early Friday morning, Tillis tweeted out a new political ad attacking Cunningham over the affair allegations, writing, "Chuck Schumer has spent over $80 million trying to paint one picture of Cal Cunningham, but North Carolinians are now realizing it was all one big lie and that Cunningham's candidacy is riddled with hypocrisy."

Chuck Schumer has spent over $80 million trying to paint one picture of Cal Cunningham, but North Carolinians are n… https://t.co/TiHdM9rDXa
— Thom Tillis (@Thom Tillis)1602156887.0

Anything else?

The U.S. Army Reserve said Wednesday that it is now investigating Cunningham, but did not provide any details.

According to The Washington Examiner:

Tillis previously stated that Cunningham's actions warranted military disciplinary action, and Republicans went after Cunningham, saying that he may have violated Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice under the section of adultery, citing his rank as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and his mistress's status as the wife of an Army combat veteran.

Army Reserve announces investigation into Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham as second woman comes forward, says she's cheated with him since 2012



Simon B. Flake, chief of media relations and public information for the Army Reserve Strategic Communication, announced on Wednesday an investigation into scandal-plagued Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham.

What's a brief history here?

The news comes on the heels of the bombshell allegation that Cunningham, who is a married father of two, had an affair with a married strategist, as well as allegations of a second affair with a different woman.

Cunningham, who is running to unseat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.), has said he has no plans to withdraw from the race. The allegations against Cunningham are especially important since the upcoming North Carolina election is critical to control of the U.S. Senate.

The polls have been showing a tight race between Cunningham and Tillis.

Cunningham is a military veteran.

What are the details?

Flake in a statement said, "The Army Reserve is investigating the matters involving Lt. Col. James Cunningham. As such, we are unable to provide further details at this time."

On Thursday, the National File exposed Cunningham's sexual messages to a woman identified as Arlene Guzman Todd, who is described as a "media director of a marijuana public relations company" who has also been a lecturer at California State University.

Todd, who is a married mother, has also reportedly donated at least $450 to the Cunningham campaign since April.

On Friday, Cunningham issued an apology.

"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry," he said. "The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family's privacy be respected in this personal matter. I remain grateful and humble by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."

Todd also issued a statement on the allegation, which was published by the Associated Press.

"A few months back, I displayed a lapse in judgment by engaging in a relationship with Cal Cunningham during a period of marital separation," she said of the relationship with the Senate candidate. "The relationship spanned several months and consisted primarily of a series of text exchanges and an in-person encounter."

According to The Daily Wire, questions later emerged over whether Cunningham could be court-martialed over the misconduct, and on Sunday, a North Carolina attorney came forward and said that one of her friends was also having an affair with Cunningham.

The unnamed woman has reportedly been engaging in an affair with Cunningham since 2012.

Following the revelation, Cunningham on Monday dropped out of a town hall event scheduled to bolster his campaign. He also backed down from attending a fundraiser event that was set for Tuesday.

Cal Cunningham sexting partner says she had a physical affair with the Senate candidate



Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for North Carolina Cal Cunningham admitted days ago that he exchanged texts of a sexual nature with a woman who was not his wife. Now, new texts have emerged indicating that the relationship was not just virtual — and the woman involved confirmed to the Associated Press that she and Cunningham had a physical affair.

What are the detail?

On Thursday, conservative outlet National File published texts between Cunningham and a California public relations strategist identified as Arlene Guzman Todd. TheBlaze previously reported that "she is married to Jeremy Todd, who like Cunningham is a military veteran, reportedly served 15 years in the Army."

The next day, Cunningham — who is married with two children — admitted to the authenticity of the messages, but said he would stay in the race against incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) while asking for privacy for himself and his family.

Allegations emerged of a second affair between Cunningham and an unidentified woman in a separate report from National File on Monday, which published a Facebook post from former Cunningham advocate and attorney Erin Brinkman, who wrote of the Democrat, "He's been having an affair with a good friend of mine since 2012. Not the woman mentioned in the story. Needless to say, my friend was devastated. But my feeling is, if they'll cheat WITH you, they'll cheat ON you!"

Hours later, Cunningham backed out of a town hall that had been scheduled to take place Monday afternoon.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that it had obtained additional text messages pertaining to Cunningham's relationship with Guzman Todd, "that provide both a more specific timeline about their relationship, which shows it was recent, as well as details that describe intimate encounters — not simply a digital exchange."

The outlet reported:

The text messages were not obtained from Guzman Todd. But the AP contacted her to confirm their authenticity. In a series of interviews late Monday as well as in the text messages, Guzman Todd described two in-person encounters with Cunningham, one in March in Los Angeles that she said did not include intimate contact and a second in July in North Carolina, where she said they were intimate.

In the text messages to her friend, Guzman Todd told her she was intimate with Cunningham in his home, which she later characterized as "weird."

In another exchange, Guzman Todd indicated that she was frustrated by the limited attention that he showed her.
"I'm just going to send to his opponent his naked photos," Guzman Todd wrote. "That will teach him."

Guzman Todd issued a statement saying, "A few months back, I displayed a lapse in judgment by engaging in a relationship with Cal Cunningham during a period of marital separation. The relationship spanned several months and consisted primarily of a series of text exchanges and an in-person encounter."

According to WNCN-TV, the Cunningham campaign has ignored the outlet's repeated requests for comment on the text messages, and as of Tuesday night, they had not responded to the new revelations reported by the AP.

New Cal Cunningham texts revealed as NC Sen. Tillis says 'full explanation' needed www.youtube.com

Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham backs out of town hall after second cheating allegation



Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham withdrew from a town hall before North Carolina voters Monday, after a second cheating allegation emerged days after he admitted to sexting a woman who is not his wife.

Cunningham, who is married with two children, is challenging incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

What are the details?

On Friday, Cunningham apologized after his campaign confirmed reports that he had exchanged texts of a sexual nature with a public relations strategist who is also married.

TheBlaze reported:

Cunningham said he won't drop out of the Senate race following the sexting scandal. According to seven different polls, Cunningham leads his opponent, Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), by between 4 to 10 points heading into the election.

Then on Monday, National File — the publication that first broke the sexting scandal — reported that former Cunningham advocate and attorney Erin Brinkman said on Facebook of the Democrat, "He's been having an affair with a good friend of mine since 2012. Not the woman mentioned in the story. Needless to say, my friend was devastated. But my feeling is, if they'll cheat WITH you, they'll cheat ON you!"

Brinkman added a quote from the late President John F. Kennedy, "Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer."

After the story broke about the second accusation of unfaithfulness, Cunningham backed out of a town hall hosted by WUNC-FM that had been slated for the same day.

WUNC capitol bureau chief Jeff Tiberii tweeted, "A U.S. Senate town hall scheduled for Monday afternoon is off. Unfortunately @CalforNC has backed out. Organizers will try to reschedule."

Tiberii appeared not to have heard the latest allegations at the time. He continued, "I'm disappointed for the organizers who worked hard to put this together; also that we will not hear from Cunningham about sexually suggestive texts he sent to a woman (not his wife, nor mother of his children). Fascinated to see when he publicly addresses this."

I’m disappointed for the organizers who worked hard to put this together; also that we will not hear from Cunningha… https://t.co/NcoLcAFd1n
— Jeff Tiberii (@Jeff Tiberii)1601921674.0

Cunningham's opponent, Tillis, was one of three Republican senators to test positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, and is currently in quarantine.

Tiberii clarified that fears of contracting the virus had nothing to do with Cunningham ditching the town hall on short notice, writing, "One important addendum (because twitter being twitter): This was a virtual event that Tillis had declined an invitation to. So, the threat of COVID (while reasonable upon first blush) is not a factor in Cunningham canceling."

One important addendum (because twitter being twitter): This was a virtual event that Tillis had declined an invi… https://t.co/GipIK6S7Nn
— Jeff Tiberii (@Jeff Tiberii)1601922506.0

Married Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham admits to sexting married strategist, won't drop out of race



North Carolina Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Cal Cunningham, who is a married father of two, admitted that he sent sexual text messages to a public relations strategist, who is also married with children. On Friday night, Cunningham apologized for his behavior.

"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry," Cunningham said in a statement. "The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family's privacy be respected in this personal matter. I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."

The sexual text messages were exposed by National File in an article published Thursday.

"North Carolina Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham is swapping sexts and arranging to meet with the wife of an Army veteran," National File wrote in the article, which features screenshots of the flirty sexts.

The website identified the woman as Arlene Guzman Todd, a "media director of a marijuana public relations company and has been a California State University lecturer." She is married to Jeremy Todd, who like Cunningham is a military veteran, reportedly served 15 years in the Army. The News & Observer reported that Arlene Todd had donated $450 to the Cunningham campaign since April, according to FEC records.

Cunningham allegedly referred to Todd as "historically sexy," and fantasizes about kissing her in the text messages. Todd reportedly wrote, "I want a night with you" via text. She allegedly tells the Senate candidate, "The only thing I want on my to do list is you," and Cunningham reportedly replied, "Sounds so hot and so fun!"

Todd reportedly instructed Cunningham to make up an excuse for his family and ditch a staffer so the two can "kiss a lot."

Cal Cunningham and his wife sat down with Spectrum News recently. It aired earlier this week, just before news of h… https://t.co/fX7MMqHMcf
— Joanna Rodriguez (@Joanna Rodriguez)1601699822.0

Cunningham said he won't drop out of the Senate race following the sexting scandal. According to seven different polls, Cunningham leads his opponent, Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), by between 4 to 10 points heading into the election.

Hours before Cunningham's admission and apology, Tillis announced on Friday that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

"Over the last few months, I've been routinely tested for COVID-19, including testing negative last Saturday, but tonight my rapid antigen test came back positive," Tillis said in a statement. "I will be following the recommendations of my doctor and will be self-isolating at home for 10 days and notifying those I've been in close contact with."

Tillis, who is currently asymptomatic, attended the Supreme Court nomination ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett on Sept. 26. Tillis, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was wearing a mask at the ceremony. Tillis met with Barrett on Tuesday.

Tillis traveled back to North Carolina after the SCOTUS event to debate Cunningham on Thursday. Cunningham, who shared the debate stage with Tillis and bumped elbows, said he would get tested for the coronavirus.

"I'm wishing @SenThomTillis a quick recovery following his positive COVID-19 test, and am thinking of him and his family," Cunningham wrote on Twitter. "Because I was with Senator Tillis recently on the debate stage, I will also get tested."

Both Tillis and Cunningham sent well wishes to President Donald Trump following his positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Tillis said, "President @realDonaldTrump is a fighter and I'm praying for a full and speedy recovery for him and @FLOTUS."

"My thoughts are with the President and First Lady, as we wish them a complete and speedy recovery from COVID-19," Cunningham tweeted. "This virus can affect any of us—we need to stay vigilant and continue to look out for one another."