NC governor faces criticism for skipping Trump-backed America 250 event

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., is blasting North Carolina's state government’s decision to boycott the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., accusing the state's Democratic governor of injecting politics into America's 250th birthday celebration.

Edwards said Gov. Josh Stein, D-N.C., chose partisanship over patriotism by declining to sponsor a booth representing the Tar Heel State, rejecting the state's explanation that budget constraints drove the decision.

"I think it's unbelievably unfortunate that our governor chose to not send representation from North Carolina to help celebrate such a momentous occasion and show patriotism," Edwards, who represents a large swath of western North Carolina, told Fox News Digital in an interview.

"But I know a lot of North Carolinians back at home, I know the folks in my district are patriots, and they certainly will be celebrating," he continued.

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The state government cited fiscal issues for declining to participate in the 16-day fair, which is currently underway on the National Mall until July 10. Every state was given exhibition space and each day features a different theme celebrating American history and culture.

"Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina, including one at the State Capitol in Raleigh on July 4," a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources told The New York Times.

"I don't buy that at all," Edwards said when asked about the alleged budget concerns. "I think it's a political statement."

Fox News Digital reached out to Stein’s office for comment.

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Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington are among the other blue states that opted out of the Great American State Fair hosted by the Trump-aligned organization, Freedom 250.

Govs. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa., and Tina Kotek, D-Ore., are among the Democratic governors who opted out over concerns the event would be overly partisan.

The fair is one of several high-profile events marking the 250th milestone in the nation’s Capitol.

Still, several private sponsors stepped in to fund the North Carolina booth.

Amid Stein’s snub, the state's booth drew controversy after the inclusion of several Confederate flags as part of the display. The symbols have since been removed from the booth by fair organizers.

Stein criticized the display in a written statement obtained by NBC News.

"This flag does not represent the North Carolina that we love," the governor said. "America 250 is about unity and bringing our nation together. We are pleased the flag that did the opposite has now been taken down."

North Carolina joined the Confederacy during the Civil War, but the Confederate flag was never incorporated into the southern state flag's design.