A rising star in the Democratic Party vehemently denied shocking allegations of drug use and inappropriate behavior with women, just a day before he was elected to the state senate.
Jonah Garson, 39, found himself at the center of a media firestorm last week when explosive reports levied allegations of misconduct against him.
Despite the allegations, Garson was elected on Saturday to represent North Carolina‘s Senate District 23 by a special committee following his predecessor’s resignation.
Local CBS affiliate, WNCN, reported on Friday that multiple anonymous sources recalled instances where Garson was acting bizarrely or appeared visibly intoxicated.
One young female Democrat, who did not share her identity out of fear of retaliation, told the outlet that Garson seemed intoxicated at a fundraising event in 2024 and spilled a glass of wine on her.
After her experience with the aspiring politician, she told WNCN that she avoids Garson at events.
Another leader in the party said Garson had a reputation of being ‘handsy’ and ‘touchy’ around women, alleging that he had been inappropriate with a female subordinate.
Garson denied all the allegations against him and said they were a part of a smear campaign to damage his chances the day before his election.
Jonah Garson, pictured above in a social media post on October 31, 2021, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate on Saturday
Garson, pictured above in a social media post shared on June 3, 2023, was accused of being ‘handsy’ with women and exhibiting inappropriate behavior
Garson, pictured above at a rally last month, denied the allegations against him and said it was a part of a smear campaign against him
‘These anonymous allegations, raised the day before this appointment vote, are false and ugly, and are intended to defame for the benefit of political opponents,’ Garson said in a statement to the Daily Mail.
‘It’s politics at its very worst. It’s why good people are turned off by this stuff. I am proud of my reputation and my relationships in every corner of this district and state, and look forward to the work ahead as the next State Senator for District 23.’
Garson also told WNCN that everyone who has worked with him can attest that the allegations are false and that he’s proud of his reputation as a colleague.
He added that the allegations cited in the WNCN report were anonymously sent to every member of the state executive committee and to journalists across the state to smear him.
IndyWeek, an independent magazine based in North Carolina, reported that the anonymous email also alleged that Garson used cocaine at party events and was kicked out of a Chapel Hill bar in 2024.
Garson told the publication that he has never used cocaine and was kicked out of the bar after confronting a bartender who served an underage patron.
The allegations have generated mixed reactions from state officials. Paula Shelton, the former President of the Democratic Women of North Carolina, vouched for Garson and said she had never witnessed him act inappropriately.
Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party Anderson Clayton also praised Garson’s victory on X, writing in a post: ‘Congratulations @JoshGarsonNC, our new State Senator from SD-23!
Garson won the special election on Saturday and will serve the remainder of his predecessor’s term. He’s pictured above with friends in a social media post last September
The allegations against Garson received mixed reactions, with some state officials condemning his campaign, while others stood by him. He’s pictured above in a social media post last July
‘Senator Garson will succeed @GraigMeyer who announced his resignation last month. I’m grateful to the senatorial committee members from Orange, Person, and Caswell counties who played a role in this process.’
However, State Senator Sophia Chitlik told WNCN: ‘We’re either a party who believes women, or we’re not. I believe these women.’
Chitlik also told IndyWeek that she had concerns about nominating Garson. ‘We cannot afford to be distracted in any way, so we need someone out of the gate who can step up on Day 1,’ she said.
A majority of the replacement committee still voted in his favor during a remote meeting on Saturday, Chapelboro reported.
He competed against current state House Representative Aleen Buansi for the position. Buansi earned 65 votes, while Garson had 636.
An anonymous source told local news that Garson was intoxicated and spilled wine on her at a fundraising event in 2024. Garson is pictured above at an event in 2024
An anonymous email alleged that Garson was kicked out of a bar and had used drug. He strongly denied the allegation and is pictured above in a social media profile picture
Garson announced his campaign after state Senator Graig Meyer resigned to take a job with the North Carolina Justice Center.
He will serve throughout the remainder of Meyer’s term and will replace him on the ballot in November.
Garson has an extensive resume in North Carolina politics. He served as the Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party and was a member of the Orange County Planning Board.
Garson earned his law degree from Columbia University and worked at a law firm based in Chapel Hill.
