Pastor Daimon L. King, a registered sex offender twice convicted and sentenced for crimes involving children, delivered a prayer at a campaign rally for North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley, according to AP reporting. Whatley’s campaign says he was unaware of King’s criminal record and that the event was hosted by the Craven County Republican Party. The rally also featured CMS director Dr. Mehmet Oz, who spoke about alleged fraud, and comes as Epstein-related files and the closely watched Whatley–Cooper Senate race draw national attention.
Registered Sex Offender Delivered Prayer At Michael Whatley Rally, Campaign Says It Was Unaware
Then-North Carolina Republican Party chair Michael Whatley introduces Donald Trump at a 2021 state convention dinner. Trump would later convince him to run for the Senate. / JONATHAN DRAKE / REUTERS
Pastor Daimon L. King, a registered sex offender who was twice convicted and sentenced to prison for crimes involving children, opened a campaign event for North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley by offering a public prayer for "integrity and honesty," according to reporting by The Associated Press.
What Happened At The Rally
Video posted by Whatley to X shows King standing and smiling behind the candidate as Whatley spoke alongside Dr. Mehmet Oz, director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. King invoked God to "right the wrongs" he said have been "hammered down" on the conservative movement, the AP reported. Attempts to reach King for comment were unsuccessful, The Daily Beast said.
Campaign Response And Context
A Whatley campaign spokesperson told the AP that the candidate was unaware of King’s criminal record and that Whatley did not organize the event or personally invite attendees. The campaign said the rally was hosted by the Craven County Republican Party.
North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in Dallas, Texas. / Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images
Whatley Campaign: The candidate was not involved in organizing the event and did not know the pastor’s background, according to a campaign statement to the AP.
Related Remarks And Wider Political Stakes
At the same event, Dr. Oz criticized what he called widespread fraud in the country and in the state and accused others of "stealing from the poor," without providing specific examples during his remarks. The appearance comes days after former President Donald Trump proposed paying every adult $5,000 if Republicans win midterm control — a plan independent analysts estimate would cost roughly $1.3 trillion.
The episode arrives as scrutiny continues over heavily redacted files connected to Jeffrey Epstein that reportedly reference people tied to Epstein’s alleged trafficking network. That wider controversy has renewed attention to the backgrounds of public figures and political allies.
Why This Matters
The Whatley–Cooper Senate contest is one of several closely watched races that will help determine control of the U.S. Senate. Whatley previously chaired the North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 and served as chair of the Republican National Committee before stepping down to run for the Senate at the urging of former President Trump.
Reporting: Associated Press and The Daily Beast.
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