In the battle going on between state House Republicans, Rep. Robert Grady, R-Onslow, doesn’t want to pick a side.

It’s the main reason why Grady claims he is now being targeted by what he considers negative campaign fliers funded by the Republican Legislative Majority of North Carolina.

In the fliers, which were mailed to Onslow County residents in the 15th House District earlier this month, Grady, who has served 20 years in the state House, is accused of repeatedly siding with Democrats.

It’s an accusation that stems back to a decision Grady made in January 2003 when he, along with several other Republicans, voted to allow Rep. Jim Black, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, and Rep. Richard Morgan, a Republican from Moore County, to share the House speaker position.

At the time, the House was evenly split with 60 Democrats and 60 Republicans. Grady said he voted against Black seven times and for the Republican nominee, Rep. George Holmes.

After about a week of not getting anywhere, Grady said, he voted for the power-sharing agreement, which also meant committees would be split down the middle and Republicans and Democrats would co-chair those groups.

It’s a decision that has split the House Republican Caucus. Several Republicans, including former state Rep. Art Pope, whose family business — Variety Stores Inc. — is funding the Republican Legislative Majority of North Carolina, have campaigned to get those representatives who voted for the co-speakers out of office.

“There is a war going on within the Republican Caucus,” Grady said. “I’ve tried to stay out of it. I have tried to remain friends with people on both sides. It’s like having friends who are in the middle of a divorce. If you don’t choose a side, it’s like you chose the other side.”

At this point, Grady isn’t even sure what kind of opposition he faces in the Republican primary May 2. Former state Sen. Tommy Pollard, who, along with Republican George Schaeffer of Sneads Ferry, filed to run against Grady, might not be qualified to run in the race.

Pollard, whose residency within the 15th House District has been scrutinized since filing began in February, was disqualified as a candidate by the state Board of Elections last week. While Pollard plans to appeal the decision with the Wake County Superior Court, a hearing hasn’t been set yet.

In the meantime, Grady is wondering what kind of impact the fliers — there are about 10 different ones circulating in Onslow County — will have on his campaign. While most of the accusations attack decisions he made during his time as a legislator, Grady said, he believes some of it is personal.

Several years ago, Grady voted against putting Pope on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. He doesn’t think Pope ever got over it.

According to one flier mailed out about Grady, “It’s black and white” and accompanied by a drawing of a black sheep surrounded by a flock of white sheep. “Is Robert Grady a Republican or a Democrat?” the flier asks.

Grady is accused of voting with Black for higher taxes. He also allegedly voted for a redistricting plan in 2004 that hurt Republicans, according to the flier.

When the sales tax was raised in 2001, Grady said, he voted against it. When the budget was passed in 2003, it included the same sales tax. Grady said he voted for the 2003 budget. He didn’t vote in favor of the 2005 budget.

Grady said he voted against the first two redistricting plans and voted for the third plan.

“I was trying to do the right thing for the people and the community they represent,” Grady said.

The information in the fliers isn’t true, Grady said.

“These things are ugly, hurtful and inaccurate,” Grady said. “What they present as facts is not true.”

Former Republican state Rep. Keith Williams, who is running in the 14th House District against Rep. George Cleveland, R-Onslow, was targeted by a similar campaign in 2004 when he first lost to Cleveland.

The Republican Legislative Majority and Americans for Prosperity North Carolina funded fliers during the 2004 GOP primary campaign that claimed Williams, who also voted for the co-speakers, raised taxes and broke promises.

“They spent $80,000 to $120,000 on fliers with half truths and innuendo,” Williams said. “I do think it influenced the election.”

Williams isn’t being targeted this time, he said. But he believes the fliers — whether they are true or not — affect voters.

“You hear a lie long enough and you start wondering if it’s really true,” Williams said.

Both Grady and Williams agree that the campaign tactics of some North Carolina Republicans are hurting the Republican Party.

“It’s destroying us from the inside,” Williams said. “When you are spending money to defeat fellow Republicans and not spending any to defeat Democrats, it’s destroying the party.”

Contact staff writer Roselee Papandrea at rpapandrea@freedomenc.com or at 353-1171, ext. 238.