Art Pope
Encyclopedia
James Arthur "Art" Pope is a North Carolina
political figure, businessman, attorney and philanthropist. He is CEO and Board Chairman of Variety Wholesalers, Inc and President and Chairman of the John William Pope Foundation.
Pope "through his family foundations has invested millions in a network of foundations and think tanks, and advocacy groups, both in North Carolina and nationally, that are designed to further conservative and free market ideas," according to the News and Observer. He is involved in supporting organizations such as Americans for Prosperity
, the John Locke Foundation
(which he co-founded), and the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy
.
. He moved with his family to the capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina
in the early 1960s. Pope graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1978 with a B.A. with Honors in Political Science, and went on to earn his J.D. from the Duke University
School of Law in 1981.
In 1984, he took a leave of absence from the firm to work as the Director of Organization for the North Carolina gubernatorial campaign of Jim Martin. Pope served as Special Counsel to Governor Jim Martin
in 1985.
In 1986 Pope joined the family business, the retail discount chain Variety Wholesalers. Art Pope has held several positions with Variety Wholesalers Inc., first as General Counsel, then Vice-President of Administration and Information Systems, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-President. Beginning in 2006, Pope began serving as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board.
Pope was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives
in 1988 to represent House District 61. He served four complete or partial terms in office, winning elections in 1988 and 1990, being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1999, and winning another election in 2000. He was elected Republican Joint Caucus Leader during the 1991-1992 session. Pope was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
, the state's most prestigious award for public service, in 1992 at age 36.
Pope vacated his House seat to run for the office of Lt. Governor
in 1992. After winning a three-way Republican primary in May of 1992, Pope lost the general election to Democrat Dennis Wicker.
Although he co-founded the Libertarian Party of North Carolina
as a college student in 1976, Pope has been active with the Republican Party since the late 1970s, and has served in a variety of roles ranging from precinct chairman to chairman of the North Carolina GOP
State Convention. Pope has also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention
on three occasions.
In 2005 Pope was a founding member of the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform and joined former Democratic state Senator Wib Gulley
from Durham, NC, in calling for reform of the state’s lobbying laws.
Through personal campaign donations, John William Pope Foundation donations to think tanks and corporate donations to independent expenditure
efforts, Art Pope supported Republican candidates in the 2010 elections for the North Carolina General Assembly
in 2010. Of the $30 Million spent on North Carolina legislative races during the 2010, it was reported that Art Pope’s company donated approximately $425,000 as independent expenditures that favored Republicans. Overall, Democrats outspent Republicans $16 Million to $14 Million in the 2010 legislative races. In 2008, the foundation provided more than 80% of the total budget for each of five leading conservative non-profits in North Carolina.
As of June 30, 2010, the Pope Foundation had nearly $136.8 million in assets, and had made over $89 Million in grants since 1986, including over $9 Million in grants made during is June 30, 2010 fiscal year. Over the last 25 year, half of the Pope Foundation’s grants have gone to support public policy, conservative organizations and think tanks in North Carolina, with the largest single recipient being the John Locke Foundation
. Eighteen percent of the grants went to support higher education, including the Campbell University
and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. Seventeen percent has supported national conservative public policy groups such, including The Heritage Foundation
and the Cato Institute
. Ten percent of the Pope Foundation’s grants support community philanthropy, including the Habitat for Humanity in Wake County and Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina. The Foundation’s support for the arts includes grants to the North Carolina Symphony
, Carolina Ballet
, North Carolina Theater and North Carolina Opera.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
political figure, businessman, attorney and philanthropist. He is CEO and Board Chairman of Variety Wholesalers, Inc and President and Chairman of the John William Pope Foundation.
Pope "through his family foundations has invested millions in a network of foundations and think tanks, and advocacy groups, both in North Carolina and nationally, that are designed to further conservative and free market ideas," according to the News and Observer. He is involved in supporting organizations such as Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
, the John Locke Foundation
John Locke Foundation
The John Locke Foundation is a free market think tank in North Carolina started in 1990. Its mission statement says the "John Locke Foundation employs research, journalism, and outreach programs to transform government through competition, innovation, personal freedom, and personal responsibility...
(which he co-founded), and the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy
Pope Center
The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of North Carolina "dedicated to improving higher education in North Carolina and the nation". The Pope Center originated in 1996 as a project of the John Locke Foundation, a nonprofit think...
.
Early life and education
Art Pope was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina to John W. and Joyce Wilkins Pope. He spent his early childhood in the town of Fuquay Varina, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He moved with his family to the capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
in the early 1960s. Pope graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1978 with a B.A. with Honors in Political Science, and went on to earn his J.D. from the Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
School of Law in 1981.
Professional life
Pope was engaged in a general law practice as an associate attorney with the firm of Skvarla, Boles, Wyrick and From in Raleigh, from 1982 through 1984.In 1984, he took a leave of absence from the firm to work as the Director of Organization for the North Carolina gubernatorial campaign of Jim Martin. Pope served as Special Counsel to Governor Jim Martin
James G. Martin
James Grubbs "Jim" Martin is the 70th Governor of the state of North Carolina. He served from 1985 to 1993. He was the second Republican elected to the office after Reconstruction, and the fifth overall. He is also the only Republican to serve two full terms as governor.-Early Life &...
in 1985.
In 1986 Pope joined the family business, the retail discount chain Variety Wholesalers. Art Pope has held several positions with Variety Wholesalers Inc., first as General Counsel, then Vice-President of Administration and Information Systems, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-President. Beginning in 2006, Pope began serving as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board.
Public Service and Political involvement
Pope was appointed to serve on the North Carolina State Goals and Policy Board from 1985-1989. He also served on the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission.Pope was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
in 1988 to represent House District 61. He served four complete or partial terms in office, winning elections in 1988 and 1990, being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1999, and winning another election in 2000. He was elected Republican Joint Caucus Leader during the 1991-1992 session. Pope was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Order of the Long Leaf Pine
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1965, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The Longleaf Pine is the official state tree of North Carolina. As of Dec 31, 2006, the Order has been awarded to 6,672 individuals....
, the state's most prestigious award for public service, in 1992 at age 36.
Pope vacated his House seat to run for the office of Lt. Governor
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
in 1992. After winning a three-way Republican primary in May of 1992, Pope lost the general election to Democrat Dennis Wicker.
Although he co-founded the Libertarian Party of North Carolina
Libertarian Party of North Carolina
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina is the North Carolina affiliate of the Libertarian Party. The state chair is Matt Drew.In the 2008 elections Michael Munger running as the party's candidate for Governor of North Carolina received 121,585 votes for 2.85% of the total vote.Chris Cole running...
as a college student in 1976, Pope has been active with the Republican Party since the late 1970s, and has served in a variety of roles ranging from precinct chairman to chairman of the North Carolina GOP
North Carolina Republican Party
The North Carolina Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in North Carolina. Robin Hayes was elected Chairman of the party on January 15, 2011, to serve the five months left in the unexpired term of Tom Fetzer....
State Convention. Pope has also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
on three occasions.
In 2005 Pope was a founding member of the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform and joined former Democratic state Senator Wib Gulley
Wib Gulley
Wilbur P. "Wib" Gulley is an attorney and former state and local elected official from Durham, North Carolina.-Mayor:Gulley served as Mayor of Durham for two terms, from December 1985 to December 1989...
from Durham, NC, in calling for reform of the state’s lobbying laws.
Through personal campaign donations, John William Pope Foundation donations to think tanks and corporate donations to independent expenditure
Independent expenditure
-Definition:In elections in the United States, an independent expenditure is a political campaign communication which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a...
efforts, Art Pope supported Republican candidates in the 2010 elections for the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
in 2010. Of the $30 Million spent on North Carolina legislative races during the 2010, it was reported that Art Pope’s company donated approximately $425,000 as independent expenditures that favored Republicans. Overall, Democrats outspent Republicans $16 Million to $14 Million in the 2010 legislative races. In 2008, the foundation provided more than 80% of the total budget for each of five leading conservative non-profits in North Carolina.
Philanthropy
Art Pope is Chairman and President of the John William Pope Foundation, which he founded with his father, John W. Pope, in 1986.As of June 30, 2010, the Pope Foundation had nearly $136.8 million in assets, and had made over $89 Million in grants since 1986, including over $9 Million in grants made during is June 30, 2010 fiscal year. Over the last 25 year, half of the Pope Foundation’s grants have gone to support public policy, conservative organizations and think tanks in North Carolina, with the largest single recipient being the John Locke Foundation
John Locke Foundation
The John Locke Foundation is a free market think tank in North Carolina started in 1990. Its mission statement says the "John Locke Foundation employs research, journalism, and outreach programs to transform government through competition, innovation, personal freedom, and personal responsibility...
. Eighteen percent of the grants went to support higher education, including the Campbell University
Campbell University
Campbell University is a coeducational, church-related university in rural North Carolina, USA. Its main campus is located in the community of Buies Creek; its law school moved from Buies Creek to a new campus in the state capital of Raleigh in 2009. Campbell has an approximately equal number of...
and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. Seventeen percent has supported national conservative public policy groups such, including The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
and the Cato Institute
Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
. Ten percent of the Pope Foundation’s grants support community philanthropy, including the Habitat for Humanity in Wake County and Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina. The Foundation’s support for the arts includes grants to the North Carolina Symphony
North Carolina Symphony
The North Carolina Symphony is an American orchestra based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with sixty-nine full time musicians. The orchestra performs in Meymandi Concert Hall and performs occasionally with the Carolina Ballet and the The Opera Company of North Carolina. In 2007, the organization...
, Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1997 which performs primarily in Raleigh, North Carolina and throughout the state. It has toured to New York City, Hungary and China. Robert Weiss, the artistic director, danced for George Balanchine for sixteen years at New York City Ballet and...
, North Carolina Theater and North Carolina Opera.
External links
- John William Pope Foundation
- Review Online: "The Corner: Another Failed Political Assassination" by Art Pope
- New Yorker: "State for Sale: Art Pope, Citizens United, and North Carolina Politics" by Jane MayerJane MayerJane Mayer is an American investigative journalist who has been a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine since 1995...
- National Review: "The Fisherman's Friend" by John J. Miller
- Philanthropy Magazine, September 25, 2006: "Transforming Public Policy"
- OurCampaigns.com profile