Bob Brinson
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bob Brinson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senate, Dist. 3
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
United States Military Academy at West Point, West Point, NY, BS - Political Science, 1991
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, Master's of Public Administration, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, LTC (R), 28
AFFILIATIONS
Craven County Republican Party, Former Member-at-Large for Precincts (Organization), Craven County Republican Party
Former Chairman, Craven County Republican Party, Former Member-at-Large for Human Resources (Volunteers)
God and Country Christian Alliance, Member, Veteran's Council of Craven County
Vice Chairman, Former Treasurer, American Legion Post 539, Judge Advocate
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2514, Delegate to Veteran's Council of Craven County, NC Federation of Republican Men
Secretary, Republican National Hispanic Assembly - Craven County, Secretary
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Alderman, City of New Bern, Ward 6, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Carolina Teachers Alliance
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Craven County Commissioner Denny Bucher
Craven County Commissioner Tom Mark
Craven County Commissioner ET Mitchell
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Republican Women's Organizations (2024)
Keith Kidwell (2020)
Mark Robinson (2020)
Steve Tyson (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (18)
Benton Grey Sawrey (2024)
Bill Rabon (2024)
Brad Overcash (2024)
Chris Humphrey (2024)
Danny Earl Britt Jr. (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe life begins at conception. Therefore, I do not support policies that expand access to “elective” abortions. Current North Carolina law, changed in 2023, is that elective abortions are legal through 12 weeks. I would certainly oppose all attempts to expand the number – and would support efforts to shorten that, including a heartbeat bill.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage should be set by local markets. A government cookie-cutter approach is almost never a good solution. From what I have seen, employers are paying more than minimum anyway because of runaway inflation under the Biden Administration.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Under no circumstance. Both freedom of religion and right to assembly are constitutional rights. Gathering together is also a biblical mandate. Roy Cooper violated the Constitution when he did so and he backed down when challenged.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and business should not be forced to violate their beliefs. We cannot legislate morality; God gave us free will after all. But the LGBTQ+ agenda should not be forced down our throats or thrust upon our children.
Should religious schools which accept state funds be allowed to only admit families and students who agree to adhere to their statement of faith?
Yes
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C)
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Governments should never require vaccinations. Schools and employers are contract based. If the money followed the child under school choice then parents could move their children if they disagreed. There should always be religious exemptions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I served 9 years in the Pacific Region while in the US Army. I know the Chinese Communist Party is not only an enemy to the United States but also to our allies.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, America's relationship with Israel is important. Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East. Historically it has been our long-time ally, and a regional military partner. We do not turn our backs on our allies.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
This is our best defense against those school boards that are refusing to implement the Parent’s Bill of Rights. And competition helps. It will raise the education levels for all children.
VALUES
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent unless an emergency situation arises risking immediate death.
Strongly Agree
I agree in principle with what this statement is trying to convey. Parental rights need to be upheld and so parents should be informed and involved in all healthcare decisions regardless of the source. Emergency situations and immediate death are not well defined here. As such, there are those that would take advantage and define it for their purposes to circumvent the intent.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Yes, the Bible defines marriage as a sacred union of one man and one woman regardless of what government says and that’s how I believe. However, our government is not a theocracy and has instead ruled and changed what is legally allowable. It's going to take 2nd Chronicles 7:14 to change it.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have Christian, conservative values and my statement of belief is the Apostle’s creed. I was raised in a Godly, Christian home. My father was a part-time pastor. I accepted Christ when I was 7. I continue to seek guidance from the Bible, through prayer, and other Godly men and women on my daily journey through this life. I am a Christian, a Conservative, and a Republican, in that order. My allegiances are to my God, my wife, my children, and my country, also in that order. I am a member of a local church, where I attend regularly, and volunteer in children’s church.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
Voting absentee by mail ballot should be limited to those meeting at least one of the following criteria: 1) 65 years of age or older on Election Day, 2) sick or disabled, 3) expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, or 4) confirmed to be absent from the county of registration during voting.
Agree
I think North Carolina has a good system for requiring an application for an absentee ballot in order to verify registration before sending the absentee ballot. It also requires either two signatures or a notary to turn it back in. My understanding is some NC counties are also testing signature verification this election. We should continue to make it easy to vote but hard to cheat.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism exists in the United States but it in not a threat to domestic security. It is a continued issue the Democrats bring up to stay in power.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I think the general purpose of government is in the preamble to our constitution: establish justice (court system), ensure domestic tranquility (law enforcement), provide for the common defense (national defense), promote the general welfare (transportation, education (state level), utilities (local level)), and secure the blessings of liberty (maintaining our constitutional freedoms). These are all public goods that individuals cannot provide for themselves.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We need to increase funding to police departments to handle the increased drugs and criminals coming across our southern border.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and believe it is there to protect the Constitution and all the other amendments. I believe that gun ownership should only be restricted from those suffering from mental illness, convicted of a felony (especially violent felons), and proven domestic abusers. These restrictions should only be imposed after following due process. I am opposed to red flag laws because there is no due process with them.
