Defendants in a defamation lawsuit at the North Carolina Court of Appeals characterize the case in new court filings as an extension of the plaintiff’s political fight against casinos in Rockingham County.
Craig Travis, a former 12-year Rockingham County commissioner, filed suit in June 2024 after losing the March 2024 Republican primary election. Travis finished fourth among seven Republicans vying for three commissioner seats.
He finished three votes behind incumbent Kevin Berger, the son of state Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. Kevin Berger went on to win re-election in November 2024.
Travis’ defamation suit names Berger, fellow commissioner Mark Richardson, and former commissioner Donald Powell as defendants.
