Why Attorney General matters

If Josh Stein wins the governor’s race, he will be the third North Carolina attorney general in a row to reach the state’s highest office. Roy Cooper served as AG from 2001 until he was sworn in as governor in January 2017. He succeeded Mike Easley as top cop when Easley became governor in 2001.

The office is high visibility and present in every county in the state, giving the attorney general the opportunity to build broad networks. Attorneys general address issues and problems that attract public attention. They work directly with law enforcement and district attorneys offices, train law enforcement officers, oversee the state crime lab, and handle appeals. Crime and public safety are never far from the publics’ consciousness.

Recently, the Department of Justice launched a website, DOJ Delivers, to show just how much money is going to each county in the state. According to the site, “Since 2017, DOJ has strengthened the state and its people by winning $1.4 billion in opioid settlements, $3 billion in money won for consumers, and $1.2 billion collected through diligent enforcement of the tobacco settlement - for a total of more than $5.6 billion.” That’s not small change. The site also tells how many rape kits have been cleared and how many law enforcement officers have been trained in each county.

The site not only shows how much Stein’s DOJ has helped counties, it also explains exactly why attorney general is such a stepping stone. Few agencies or organizations put so much money into individual counties. And handing out large sums of money transcends traditional party politics. It’s hard to disagree to adamantly with someone bearing checks.

Given that history, this year’s race for attorney general is as important as ever. The winner may well become the state’s next chief executive or U.S. Senator. It’s a seat that’s not often open. Stein is only the fourth AG in the state since 1985.

Stein fit the profile of his predecessors. Neither Cooper nor Easley was flamboyant. They kept relatively low profiles while overseeing highly competent offices. Stein, likewise, has a low-key demeanor. All three put consumer protection and a commitment to law and order above the rancor of partisan politics. Consequently, Republicans are having a hard time finding an attack that sticks.

This year, Democratic Congressman Jeff Jackson, who served as a prosecutor, faces Republican Congressman Dan Bishop for the open seat. Jackson has built a national reputation as one the best communicators in politics through dispassionate, clear, and sometimes humorous explanations of the workings of Congress. Bishop has built his reputation as a bomb thrower who is one of the most extreme members of the House of Representatives.

Jackson largely fits the profile of Easley, Cooper, and Stein, even if he brings a somewhat higher profile because of his insightful and entertaining videos that have gone viral. As attorney general, we can expect him to take the job seriously and continue to deliver for the counties and people of North Carolina.

Bishop is Marjorie Taylor Greene in a suit. We can expect him to continue what he’s been doing for the past eight years—attacking people who are different, using his office to divide the state and demean his enemies. Given his behavior both in the legislature and Congress, there’s no reason to believe he will be anything other than a partisan hack using this vital office for political vengeance. He’s told us who he is and we should believe him.

The position is so often a stepping stone because people who have occupied the office have built relationships that transcend politics. They’ve produced for people regardless of their political persuasion. We don’t need bullies like Dan Bishop using the position as a megaphone for self-promotion that divides and belittles our citizens.

The attorney general in North Carolina impacts the lives of everybody in the state. While the election process is partisan, the office is not. We need to continue the model set by Stein, Cooper, and Easley, putting people first, bringing resources to the counties, protecting consumers from scammers, and keeping North Carolinians safe in their homes.