Republican Representative Chuck Edwards sharply criticized North Carolina Governor Josh Stein for his decision not to participate in the Great American State Fair held in Washington, D.C. Edwards claimed the Democratic governor put partisanship ahead of patriotism.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Edwards said, "It is incredibly unfortunate that our governor chose not to send representatives from North Carolina to celebrate such an important event and show patriotism." Edwards said he believes it was a political statement, despite the state government citing budget constraints.
A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources defended the decision, telling the New York Times, "We are focusing our limited resources on America 250 events across North Carolina." However, Edwards said he did not accept that explanation.
Other blue states such as Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington also decided not to participate in the fair, which is organized by the pro-Trump Freedom 250 organization and runs through July 10 on the National Mall. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek had announced they were withdrawing due to concerns the event could be overly partisan.
North Carolina's booth at the fair sparked separate controversy with the display of Confederate flags. Following backlash, the flags were removed by fair organizers. In a written statement obtained by NBC News, Governor Stein expressed satisfaction with the removal, saying, "This flag does not represent the North Carolina we love."
Stein's office has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
