Mo Green’s first TV ad — “Dangerous” — highlights controversies surrounding Michele Morrow

Michele Morrow and Mo Green are running to bvecome NC's next Superintendent of Public Instruction (File photos)

Mo Green, the Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has launched his first television ad, “Dangerous,” as part of a statewide campaign. The ad is part of a seven-figure buy across television, digital and connected TV platforms.

The ad features Michele Morrow , the Republican nominee for the same position, highlighting her past controversial statements and actions. Footage includes Morrow during the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, during which she livestreamed while advocating for a military coup and involved her children in the event. The ad also depicts her calls to set the U.S. Constitution “to the side” and her rhetoric suggesting that Satan has taken over public schools, alongside calls for the execution of leaders like former President Barack Obama.

The ad also depicts Morrow alongside Mark Robinson, the current lieutenant governor and Republican nominee for governor. Robinson has come under renewed scrutiny after reports surfaced last week detailing his history of racial and sexual online comments .

Green’s campaign is attempting to link Morrow to Robinson, who is lagging behind in the polls, in hopes that this association will dissuade voters from supporting her by highlighting their shared history of attacking public school educators and advocating for violence.

“Michele Morrow’s long history of calling for violence, disparaging public schools and public school educators, and promoting conspiracy theories make her a dangerous choice to run North Carolina’s public schools,” said Green, in a release. “North Carolina’s more than 1.3 million public school students deserve a leader who is working to help our schools thrive, not someone like Michele Morrow who incites violence, demonizes teachers and demeans students.”

During a debate earlier this month , Morrow dismissed such criticism and said Green has paid people to examine “personal things that I’ve stated and take them out of context.”

Green and Morrow are set to face off again tonight at 7 p.m. in Greenville at a debate hosted by the NC Institute of Political Leadership and Spectrum News, which is open to the public.

There will be no live stream for the event. It will air on Spectrum News 1 on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. It will also be available online after the 11:30 a.m. airing.