WINSTON-SALEM — Last month, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest revealed he spent nearly $200,000 from his campaign account for governor on small businesses and direct assistance to North Carolinians.
“As soon as we saw the depth of the economic pain being felt by the people of North Carolina, we knew we needed to re-tool our campaign,” said Forest.
“It seems senseless and wrong to raise millions of dollars to put advertisements on TV when so many people in our state are out of work or mourning the loss of a loved one,” Forest said. “We have been blessed with so much support over the years, and it felt right to put our campaign money where it could do some real good.”
One of the stories was recently made public by the campaign.
Forest re-presented the Bronze Star to retired Command Sergeant Major Alex Nelson in Winston-Salem, according to a Facebook post, which read in part:
“Mr. Nelson had previously posted online that he was selling his Bronze Star in a desperate effort to keep his wife’s gymnastics business afloat as COVID-19 restrictions shut down her gym.”
“Lt. Gov. Forest agreed to purchase the medal for an undisclosed amount, under the condition that he have the honor to present it back to Mr. Nelson, where it belongs.”
Forest campaign spokesman Andrew Dunn said the campaign has canceled dozens of fundraising events across the state to enable staff to focus on relief efforts.
