Donnie Loftis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 109th district | |
| Assumed office November 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dana Bumgardner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1956 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Deena |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Gastonia, North Carolina, U.S. |
Donnie Loftis (born September 7, 1956) is an American politician who has served in the North Carolina House of Representatives since November 2021.[1] A member of the Republican Party, he represents the 109th district, which contains part of Gaston County.
Loftis previously served as chair of the Gaston County board of commissioners and as chair of the board of directors of CaroMont Health. He resigned the latter position on May 4, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, after spreading COVID-19 misinformation and posting on his personal Facebook page that Gov. Roy Cooper's stay-at-home order amounted to "tyranny".[2]
Loftis was also present at the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He wrote on social media on January 6 that he "got gassed three times and was at the entrance when they breached the door".[3] When asked by a reporter in October 2021 about his involvement, he claimed that he "had absolutely zero involvement in the rioting and categorically condemn the storming of our Capitol building that day".[3]
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ Smoot, Hannah (May 5, 2020). "NC hospital chair resigns after posting about stay-at-home 'tyranny' and COVID-19 conspiracy". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Fain, Travis (October 22, 2021). "Incoming NC lawmaker was at Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol protests, riot". WRAL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.