Pat Bradford and Josie Barnhart AI image incident — Nov 2026
New Hanover County Board of Education member David Perry faced criticism for using AI-generated imagery to depict fellow board members as witches
- Reported date
- Nov 2, 2026
- Target
- Pat Bradford and Josie Barnhart
The exact incident date was not established. This entry is dated by its source report.
A local political dispute in New Hanover County has highlighted the growing controversy surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in campaign messaging. Board of Education member David Perry sparked backlash after releasing an AI-generated image and a corresponding website that portrayed fellow board members Pat Bradford and Josie Barnhart as witches brewing a potion labeled NHCS Poison Potion.
What happened
David Perry utilized artificial intelligence to create a visual depiction of his colleagues, Pat Bradford and Josie Barnhart, casting them in a derogatory light. The imagery, which featured the two board members as witches, was accompanied by a website that furthered the narrative. Pat Bradford, who has been vocal regarding the ethics of AI, criticized Perry for the move, noting the irony of his actions given his previous vote against a $2 million AI grant for the school district. The incident was brought before the New Hanover County Board of Education during an October 29 meeting. When the board moved to discuss his behavior, Perry departed the meeting early, stating he had business in Concord and did not feel a need to remain. The incident has fueled a broader debate regarding the lack of transparency requirements for AI-generated content in North Carolina political campaigns, as state law currently does not mandate disclosures for such materials.