Former N.C. congressional candidate verifies attendance at rally turned riot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Former North Carolina congressional candidate Sandy Smith has confirmed her attendance at the March for Trump and Stop the Steal Rally that led to a group of what some call domestic terrorists breaking into the capitol building on Wednesday.

Smith tweeted on Jan. 8 that she was at the event and that she still stands with President Donald Trump.

I was at the event in DC to support our president. I still stand with @realDonaldTrump and my voice still matters. #MAGA
— Sandy Smith NC (@SandySmithNC) January 8, 2021

An email sent out Sunday on Smith’s behalf and tweeted by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman starts with, “I was there. I was at the March for Trump and the Stop the Steal Rally, supporting the President, fighting for our country and Constitution!”

This was sent out from the Smith campaign in North Carolina in the last hour. pic.twitter.com/LRWw2pO6jm
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 10, 2021

Smith was a candidate for North Carolina’s first congressional district in the 2020 election. She lost to G.L. Butterfield.

The email goes on to say that she spoke to several people at the event and “none were inciting violence.”

Smith went on to denounce the riots by writing, “I don’t support violence in any way. But we need to make the D.C. establishment listen.”

The protest-turned-riot has led to five deaths, including U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.

[U.S. Capitol police officer dead after clashing with pro-Trump mob]

The photo used in the email shows Smith standing with Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, but was not authorized by Smith, she said in a tweet.

I did not authorize the use of @MarkMeadows picture to be sent out on behalf of my campaign. I have contacted my vendor who sent that out without permission and told them to cease and desist.
— Sandy Smith NC (@SandySmithNC) January 10, 2021