An ode to the John Locke Foundation
The influential conservative think-tank is the winner of the Ultimate N.C. Politics Showdown
I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect a think tank to win the bracket. But after thousands of votes, the John Locke Foundation has emerged as the champion of the Ultimate N.C. Politics Showdown.
It was a thoughtful, close-run final matchup, just as it should be. Because Locke’s brand of influence isn’t flashy or viral. It’s patient. Principled. And in an era of political chaos, remarkably rare.
A pillar of serious conservatism
Founded in 1990, the John Locke Foundation was built to advance the enduring values of liberty, personal responsibility, free enterprise, and limited government. It’s named for an Enlightenment philosopher, but it’s never been about abstractions.
Locke is in the trenches of state policy. Its analysts, journalists, and scholars shape legislation, brief lawmakers, testify in committee, and publish sharp, serious work every single day. Yes, the foundation absolutely makes headlines, but not through showmanship — through intellectual rigor, clarity of thought, and consistent presence.
Its victories don’t come from slogans or vibes. They come from charts, case studies, and actual solutions.
This isn’t an outfit chasing clicks or jumping on political bandwagons. It’s an institution that plays the long game, committing to rigorous research, clear communication, and practical solutions. And remarkably, it’s managed to stay that course for three decades without selling out or slowing down.
As the conservative movement nationally has shifted — from Reaganism to Trumpism, from free markets to populism — the John Locke Foundation has done something truly rare: It’s stayed true to its principles.
And in doing so, this nonpartisan organization has remained a steady force for foundational conservative values in a turbulent political era. Its credibility today is the direct result of that consistency.
A lasting legacy, and a living one
Over those three decades, the John Locke Foundation has shaped nearly every major policy conversation in North Carolina. It has played a pivotal role in tax reform, regulatory relief, school choice, transparency, and government accountability.
Its journalism arm, Carolina Journal, recently won 11 statewide press awards, including honors for open government reporting.
And behind the scenes, Locke has become a proving ground for leadership. Its alumni hold positions of influence across the state, and its E.A. Morris Fellowship for Emerging Leaders is cultivating a new generation of civic-minded North Carolinians who believe in principle before power. I’m proud to say I’ve just started participating in the program.
At the center of all this is John Hood, Locke’s longtime president and current board chair. Hood’s vision, steadiness, and intellectual discipline are evident in every aspect of the organization. He’s one of the few people in state politics who has earned near-universal respect across ideological lines. That says a lot.
His quiet leadership helped turn the foundation into one of the most respected policy institutions in the country, a tradition that CEO Donald Bryson is continuing well.
A worthy champion
In a bracket filled with big personalities, legendary moments, and cultural touchstones, the John Locke Foundation outlasted them all — not with bluster, but with brains. Not with flash, but with follow-through.
Someone joked that they must have rallied their donor list to stuff the ballot box. Maybe they did. But if anything, that’s just further proof: Locke has a long list of friends in this state, and for good reason.
It’s not easy to maintain principle in politics. It’s harder still to maintain relevance without compromising those principles. The John Locke Foundation has done both.
So here’s to the winner. Congratulations to the John Locke Foundation — not just the champion of this bracket, but one of the most important and enduring forces in North Carolina public life.
