Bishop’s Far-Right Ties Raise Concerns in NC Attorney General Race

Bishop’s Connections with Controversial Groups and Theories

Republican Congressman Dan Bishop, running for North Carolina Attorney General, has ties to far-right extremists, conspiracy theorists, and Jan. 6 rioters. Bishop, known for his anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ stance, has publicized connections to groups and individuals who’ve spread racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, challenged church-state separation, and attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

If elected, Bishop would lead North Carolina’s law enforcement. With Election Day on Nov. 5, voters are scrutinizing Bishop’s associations and the ideologies he may bring to Raleigh.

Bishop’s Affiliations with Far-right Groups

In Congress, Bishop was linked to the Claremont Institute, a right-wing think tank involved in Trump’s 2020 election overturn efforts. Claremont’s John Eastman advised Trump and Pence on rejecting electors, leading to multiple charges against Eastman. The institute also hosted figures like Jack Posobiec, known for the debunked “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory.

Despite Claremont’s controversial reputation, Bishop engaged with the group, participating in panels discussing “deep state” accountability. He also received the “True Blue award” from the Family Research Council, known for opposing abortion rights and LGBTQ equality. Bishop frequently appears on FRC leader Tony Perkins’ radio show.

Bishop attended events by the American Renewal Project (ARP), promoting a Christian theocracy, denouncing church-state separation. ARP’s founder, David Lane, criticized LGBTQ rights and abortion, funded by the American Family Association, labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Bishop’s Endorsement of Conspiracy Theorists

Bishop calls himself a “follower” of James Lindsay, who supports the Great Replacement theory and compares COVID measures to the Holocaust, attracting criticism from the Auschwitz Memorial. Bishop also promoted conspiracy theorists Mike Benz and Ben Weingarten, both associated with extremist views.

Bishop, Benz, and Weingarten appeared at The Heritage Foundation’s “Weaponization Of US Government Symposium.”

Bishop’s Support for Jan. 6 Rieter

Bishop supported Steve Baker, a Blaze News reporter charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, advocating for Congress to protect rioters from prosecution. Bishop himself backed Trump’s election fraud claims, despite winning his district, and joined lawsuits contesting Trump’s losses in several states.

Even after the Capitol attack, Bishop opposed certifying election results, earning criticism from Democratic opponent Jeff Jackson as unfit for Attorney General.