Veteran Rockingham government official Craig Travis attempted to reclaim his position on the county commission board earlier this year but was narrowly beaten in the March Republican primary election. Just over three months after losing the election, Travis claims that his rivals, who backed the push for casinos in North Carolina, tarnished his reputation during the primary.
Travis left the Rockingham Board of County Commissioners in December 2022 after serving three consecutive four-year terms. The Republican chose to re-enter local politics last year following a scandal that shook the Rockingham government due to accusations of secret negotiations to appoint the county as a commercial casino resort hosting site.
Travis claims in a state lawsuit that he was assaulted by supporters of the casino and shadow financial interests in manners that surpass what the First Amendment protects.
His grievance asserts that his rivals took revenge on him for revealing the handshake agreements that Commissioner Kevin Berger and two other commissioners had with a Maryland casino operator to establish a Las Vegas-style resort in the rural county.
Casino Allegations
In 2023, Berger’s father, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), who serves as North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore, attempted to legalize casinos in Rockingham, Anson, and Nash counties by adding a provision to the state's budget bill. It was subsequently disclosed that Phil Berger had arranged a deal that would allow The Cordish Companies, which runs Live!-branded casinos in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and shortly, Louisiana, to develop all three North Carolina casinos.
Travis and other opponents of the casino initiative provided proof showing that the Rockingham Commissioners traveled to Maryland to visit Cordish’s Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland located close to the BWI airport. Records of state campaign financing indicated that Cordish was investing tens of thousands of dollars into the Bergers’ — as well as other pro-gaming legislators’ — 2024 state and county election campaigns.
Rockingham leans politically conservative. The GOP commissioners’ primary in March 2024 effectively acts as the general election, given that the five-member board has historically been dominated by Republicans.
The primary on March 5 required county Republicans to choose three candidates. Following a recount, Travis ended up in fourth place, just three votes behind Commissioner Kevin Berger. Commissioner Mark Richardson placed second to keep his position, and newcomer Jeff Kallahm emerged victorious.
Commissioner Don Powell placed sixth and will formally relinquish his position following the November 2024 general election, with his successors taking their oaths the next month. County Board Chair Charlie Hall, III, and Commissioner Houston Barrow were not seeking reelection.
Defamation Campaign
Travis' legal claim is pursuing damages exceeding $100K, alleging that the younger Berger and casino lobbyists conspired to undermine his campaign. His lawyers claim the counterfeit attack advertisements contained lies such as Travis letting air out of his rivals' tires and removing campaign signs of his adversaries.
"The false statements made about Mr. Travis in the false attack ads, Facebook posts, email, and other communications constitute more than the mere vituperation and name calling that is characteristic of political campaigns and protected by the First Amendment,” the lawsuit alleges. “These false statements were made with actual malice and intended to harm Mr. Travis’ reputation in Rockingham County by lowering Mr. Travis in the estimation of potential voters in the 2024 Board of Commissioners election and deterring others from supporting his campaign.”
Together with Kevin Berger, Travis' legal action identifies Commissioners Richardson and Powell as the defendants.