Civitas Has a New Leader

RALEIGH – After the departure of Francis De Luca from the helm of the conservative think tank the Civitas Institute, rumors flew that his replacement could be a more moderate-minded fundraiser that would confirm the organizations’ recent ‘softening’ on conservative principles.

Luckily, those worries may have been premature with Monday’s announcement of Civitas’ new president: Donald Bryson.

From AP:

The leader of a conservative-leaning political organization in North Carolina is the next president of a like-minded think tank.

The Raleigh-based Civitas Institute announced Monday that Donald Bryson next week will succeed Francis De Luca, who is stepping down from the job after several years. Bryson has been North Carolina state director of Americans for Prosperity since 2014 and previously worked as a field coordinator.

Donald is an articulate defender of freedom, free markets, and limited government. His time at AFP was marked by a constant push to educate politicians and the press about what conservative principles are and why they are right. He was never shy in front of the camera and was never caught off guard by Raleigh’s liberal reporters inserting their typical bias in interviews..

After rumors of the likes of squishy moderates like Pat McCrory possibly taking the helm at Civitas, the news of Bryson’s ascension is very welcome news.

Largely funded by businessman Art Pope via the John William Pope Foundation, the organization was putting more emphasize on fundraising prowess than principles in their search for a new president. Bryson is not short on principles.

First in Freedom Daily will keep readers posted on if Bryson can re-energize the fight for freedom in his new role.