In the contest to become North Carolina’s next Attorney General, the difference between the candidates literally could not be wider on climate and the environment. Two sitting members of Congress are running: Rep. Dan Bishop, the Republican nominee, and Rep. Jeff Jackson, the Democratic nominee.

Importance of NC Attorney General

Before examining the details, let’s briefly look at why this race is so important. Since 2001, first Roy Cooper and then Josh Stein have served as North Carolina’s Attorney General, elected to that post for a combined six successive four-year terms. As Attorney General, they have represented the State of North Carolina in legal cases. This has allowed them to exercise considerable discretion over which issues to pursue and how to interpret state and federal statutes and constitutional provisions as they affect the rights and interests of North Carolinians. Both Cooper and Stein have strongly championed the public’s rights to a clean and healthy environment, clean and affordable energy, and abundant natural resources. They have weighed in on behalf of our state in multiple cases in support of well-founded rules to protect public health and control air and water pollution. 

Voting Records

With that in mind, let’s consider what their legislative voting records say about Dan Bishop and Jeff Jackson as they contend for the post of North Carolina’s next Attorney General. Clear records are available on their environmental performances both in Congress and the NC General Assembly.

On the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Congressional Scorecard, Bishop has a lifetime score of 0%. He has never cast a pro-environment vote as scored by LCV. On the same scorecard, Jackson has a lifetime score of 100%. 

In Congress, Jackson has voted for the public’s interests on key votes on climate action, clean energy, pollution control, natural areas conservation, and environmental justice. Bishop has voted for the interest of polluters instead—or failed to vote at all—in all those cases. Before serving in Congress, both men served in the NC General Assembly. As members of the NC Senate, Bishop was awarded another lifetime voting record of 0% on the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) Legislative Scorecard. On the NCLCV scorecard, Jackson had a lifetime score of 92%.

Environmental Endorsement

With this sharp contrast, it’s no wonder that both the NC League of Conservation Voters Conservation PAC and the NC Chapter of the Sierra Club have endorsed Jeff Jackson for NC Attorney General. 

Jackson lists protecting clean air and water among his priorities as Attorney General. “If polluters know that they’ll be forced to pay for their pollution, it creates a deterrent effect,” says Jackson. “The Attorney General must be a good steward of the land by ensuring a clear and predictable approach to its defense.” 

Bishop’s campaign website makes no mention of environmental issues, but makes sweeping criticisms of Cooper and Stein, and touts Bishop’s fight against “the Biden Administration’s dangerous policies.” Based on his Congressional voting record, we reasonably assume the “dangerous policies” referenced are highly likely to include the Biden-Harris Administration’s strong positive record on climate action and environmental justice.

NCLCV urges North Carolina voters to select Jeff Jackson as our next state Attorney General.