Outside-group mailers spark AI imagery debate in Cabarrus County Senate race

April Cook criticizes mailers paid for by a Republican Party committee, while Kevin Crutchfield says he had no involvement and points to outside-group attacks against him.

Submitted image of political mailers targeting Democratic N.C. Senate District 34 candidate April Cook. Cook’s campaign says the images depicting her were created using artificial intelligence.

Political mailers targeting Democratic N.C. Senate District 34 candidate April Cook are drawing criticism from Cook over their use of what she describes as AI-generated imagery, including one mailer that incorrectly identifies her as “Rachel Cook.”