RALEIGH -- As part of a legal settlement, the N.C. Republican Party is offering a very public mea culpa to former Democratic Rep. Jimmy Love Sr.
Shortly before last year's election, the GOP mailed an attack ad in the home district of Love, a seven-term Democrat from Sanford.
The ad said Love owned a piece of land and suggested it was bought by the N.C. Department of Transportation in a "sweetheart deal." The text of the mailer called Love a "swindler," featured his photo and falsely quoted him as saying, "I Love Gettin' Rich Off The Taxpayers!"
Love, who represented Lee and Harnett counties, lost his seat to Republican newcomer Mike Stone by 1,423 votes.
Now, House District 41 voters who were sent the ad last year are finding another message from the Republican Party in their mailboxes.
"The accusations made against Mr. Love in the mailer were unjustified and the facts stated in support of the accusations were false," the new mailer says. "Accordingly, the North Carolina Republican Party hereby retracts the statements made in the mailer, apologizes to Mr. Love, and expresses its sincere regret for any distress or embarrassment caused to Mr. Love, his family, or his supporters."
The ousted Democrat said Monday that he feels some vindication. Under the terms of his settlement with the Republican Party, Love said he can't comment on whether he received any other concessions, such as a cash payment.
"I'm satisfied with the way this was resolved," Love said. "I think most of the people who know me knew it wasn't true, but for the people who didn't know me personally, it might have stuck."
Though political attack ads can often bend the truth beyond recognition, political observers in the state capital could not recall seeing anything like the apology issued to Love since 1991, when then-Lt. Gov. James Gardner, a Republican, issued a public apology to his former Democratic opponent, Tony Rand.
During his 1988 campaign, Gardner aired television ads that accused Rand, a defense attorney, of aiding drug smugglers on the run from the law. Rand filed a libel suit against Gardner, who issued the apology as part of a settlement on the second day of his trial three years later.
Love had not filed suit against the GOP, but had retained Raleigh lawyer Hugh Stevens to prepare a case when the Republicans agreed to come to terms.
Mark Braden, the spokesman for the state Republicans, declined to comment about the settlement, referring all questions to the party's lawyer, John Branch of Raleigh.
Branch declined to say how many homes the apology went to and whether there were any other terms of the settlement.
"All I can say is that the dispute has been resolved," the GOP lawyer repeated whenever he was asked a question about the case.
What is clear is that the Republicans have no intention of giving back Love his lost legislative seat.
News researcher Brooke Cain contributed to this report.
