U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, who represents North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District and is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, is still deciding whether to run for Attorney General, according to The Dispatch.
The emphasis on “still” is important — Axios first reported Bishop was considering a bid in May. But The Dispatch spoke with five people familiar with Bishop’s thinking who said he’s accelerating plans to run. That group includes two House Republicans who said he has approached them about a potential bid for Attorney General.
Bishop’s campaign team confirmed his interest to The Dispatch, but dismissed that there’s much new to add, noting that he “continues to consider his final decision.”
So far, the race for Attorney General has just one declared Republican candidate, Thomas Murray. The former state lawmaker has reportedly said he plans to stay in the race even if Bishop jumps in, which sets up a competitive Primary that would likely, considering Bishop’s service in the Freedom Caucus, turn into a battle over who’s a better conservative.
But perhaps the more interesting outcome, should Bishop decide to run for AG, is its impact on the ruby red CD 8. It would set up an open Primary for the district that runs from Charlotte to the Piedmont Triad. That comes as Republicans are preparing to re-draw congressional and state legislative districts this fall, which could impact Bishop’s current district, though it would be unlikely to swing in Democrats’ favor even still.
Bishop is one of the Tar Heel State’s most controversial Republicans who likewise served previously as a controversial state lawmaker. He was the chief architect of the now-repealed HB 2 bathroom bill that required transgender individuals to use the bathrooms aligned with their sex assigned at birth. Its passage led to massive boycotts, national attention and, ultimately, a flood of money from large events leaving the state.
When Axios first reported Bishop’s AG considerations in May, they noted a bevy of strong support waiting should he hop in. That includes North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger who, according to sources who spoke to Axios, would chair his campaign.
He reportedly also would have backing from Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for Governor and could offer assistance in the coordinated campaign realm. The conservative Club for Growth PAC, which has backed a number of successful Republican candidates in the past, told Axios they hope he runs, which sounds an awful lot like an endorsement.
Eyes would be closely on his race as Republicans hope to flip the AG’s office now that the incumbent Democrat, Josh Stein, is running for Governor instead of seeking re-election.
