By Christine Zhu and Rob Schofield

NC Newsline

North Carolina’s largest energy provider has a long record of making campaign contributions to politicians of both major political parties. Charlotte-based Duke Energy has, for instance, donated more than $1 million directly toward electing governors in recent years, as well as to dozens of candidates for other state government offices.

But a recent attack ad launched in North Carolina on behalf of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in his gubernatorial contest against Attorney General Josh Stein by the Republican Governors Association (RGA) — a so-called 527 that can receive direct corporate contributions and use them to support candidates — is serving once more to shine a spotlight on the contributions.

The RGA ad, which was released in July, is entitled “Weak” and in it, a North Carolina sheriff decries what he says are Stein’s positions on immigration policy and accuses him of “lying to North Carolina families as he claims there are ‘no sanctuary cities’ in North Carolina.” In announcing the ad, the RGA said it was “backed by an initial seven-figure investment” — that is, at least $1 million.

An analysis of Duke’s corporate political expenditures as reported on the company’s website, shows that since 2020, Duke has donated $530,000 to the RGA. The company has also contributed several million dollars to various trade associations that, in turn, made contributions worth millions to the RGA.

While it’s impossible to draw a direct line between Duke’s corporate contributions and the RGA expenditures on Robinson’s behalf, the long history of contributions to the 527 raises questions about the company’s policy objectives in North Carolina.

As one of the world’s largest electricity generators, for example, Duke has been (and figures to remain) in the middle of the debate over climate change. In late July, the company asked the state for more time to meet a deadline for lowering carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

Robinson is a politician who would figure to be a friendly audience for such requests. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) recently reported that Robinson has repeatedly denied the reality of climate change and “called climate science, ‘lies,’ ‘junk science,’ and ‘pseudoscience,’ and referred to science educators as ‘liars.’”

Robinson’s equally controversial statements on a variety of other subjects — which include attacking LGBTQ people as “filth,” labeling abortion as “genocide,” and repeating antisemitic tropes — also figure to raise the eyebrows of many Duke shareholders and customers.

Interestingly, however, as has been the company’s pattern in the past, Robinson is not the only candidate to whom its contributions appear to be flowing. Duke has also donated $645,000 to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) in recent years.

And of the past 50 press releases issued by the DGA as of Monday, 17 target the North Carolina race by attacking Robinson, promoting Stein, or both. What’s more, in sharp contrast to Robinson, SACE reports that Stein is an outspoken champion of reducing carbon emissions and has, as attorney general, intervened “in proceedings at the North Carolina Utilities Commission to promote eliminating climate pollution and hastening coal plant retirement while prioritizing renewable energy, lessening dependence on risky fossil gas, and lowering costs for customers.”

New Hampshire has received comparable attention from the DGA, with 17 of the past 50 press releases targeting the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte. The Granite State’s gubernatorial primary takes place on Sept. 10.

Along with the RGA and DGA, Duke has also donated to the Democratic Legislative Campaign, the Republican Attorneys General Association, the Republican State Leadership Committee, the Senate Majority Campaign Committee, and several political entities across the country — particularly in Florida and South Carolina.

It should be noted that the figures reported by Duke thus far only go through December of 2023, so it’s unclear at this point whether Duke has made additional investments in the North Carolina race or plans to do so in the weeks between now and November. Groups like the RGA and DGA do not have to file their final pre-election disclosure reports on contributions until late October.

NC Newsline will continue to monitor this story.

Christine Zhu covers state politics and government for NC Newsline. She is based in Raleigh.

NC Newsline Editor Rob Schofield oversees day-to-day newsroom operations, authors and voices regular commentaries, and hosts the ‘News & Views’ weekly radio show/podcast.