New dark money group reminds NCGA lobbyists they can donate unlimited money

New group, saying it's focused on transportation and infrastructure, promises access to key lawmakers during launch event.

Posted 1:30 p.m. Feb 25, 2022 — Updated 11:04 p.m. Feb 25, 2022

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

A new North Carolina dark money group that says it's focused on transportation, engineering and infrastructure plans a kickoff fundraiser next week featuring several key Republican lawmakers.

Carolina Strong sent out invitations this week, making sure to tell registered lobbyists at the General Assembly they can make unlimited contributions.

Lobbyists are forbidden under state law from contributing to General Assembly candidates' regular campaign accounts, but, as the invitation notes, that doesn't apply to 501(c)(4) groups, also known as "social welfare" organizations. These groups don't advertise for or against a specific politician directly, but they can run policy advocacy campaigns.

They're often called dark money groups because they don't have to disclose their donors. It's not unusual, on either side of the aisle, for these groups to hold events promising access to key lawmakers.

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Carolina Strong has some heavy hitters from the N.C. House attending its launch event, according to the invitation. House Transportation Committee Chairman Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, and House Rules Chairman Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, lead the list. Also listed: Reps. Grey Mills, R-Iredell, Erin Paré, R-Wake, and Wayne Sasser, R-Stanly.

None of the lawmakers returned messages seeking comment.

The group was created in December, according to its initial filing with the N.C. Secretary of State's Office. It was registered by Boyd Worley, an attorney in Tabor City who is also listed on state campaign finance paperwork as Jones' campaign treasurer. Worley didn't return a message seeking comment.

The contact on the invitation is Anna Scott Marsh, a GOP fundraiser who worked with former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest’s team, and more recently raised money for Republican members of the N.C. House, including Jones.

Marsh didn't respond to messages seeking more information about the group.