Serious questions about the NC Republican who likes questioning others | Opinion
Several months ago, the chair of the N.C. House Oversight Committee berated school officials from Orange County for “indoctrinating” students and violating state law.
Committee chair Rep. Brenden Jones, who is also the House Republican’s Majority Leader, brushed aside the school officials’ denial of wrongdoing.
“You’re here today because you chose to wage war against the law, you chose to deceive the public, and now you’re here because you got caught,” he thundered.
The committee meeting was one of several Rep. Jones has held in his accountability crusade targeting educators, Medicaid administrators, DMV officials and others.
But who will hold Rep. Jones accountable?
A report last week says he apparently deceived the public about a scheme designed to enrich his political contributors.
The News & Observer reported that Jones told legislators in June 2025 that the ABC Commission chair wanted approval for a “public private partnership” to build a new high-tech liquor warehouse.
Jones’ House colleagues voted for approval – but the ABC chair actually opposed that plan! House members were also not told which developer would implement the “partnership.”
Soon after the vote, Jones and a lobbyist for the apparent chosen developer met with ABC chair Hank Bauer. Bauer told them the plan was “horrible.” It would cost $589 million in lease payments over 25 years, and the developer would still own the warehouse.
Bauer instead wants approval for the commission to borrow $310 million to build the warehouse, which it would repay with ABC sales and permits. The loan is authorized in a Senate bill, but Rep. Jones told Bauer the House would only agree to the lease plan with a private developer.
The chosen developer, M Group Companies, has projects in a dozen states with a main office in Florida. One subsidiary owns 77 acres near Statesville zoned for a distribution center.
Donors tied to M Group have contributed $520,000 to North Carolina Republican legislators since 2023, plus another $118,500 to a national GOP conduit that finances campaigns here. Rep. Brenden Jones’ campaign is among the leading recipients, with $59,200. Jones got about half the money before, and half shortly after, passing the bill for the public-private partnership.
Taking legislative action in exchange for campaign money is a federal and state crime. I wonder if the N&O story will prompt the U.S. Attorney or Wake County District Attorney to investigate Rep. Jones’ actions.
If an investigation begins, it will likely dovetail with one underway involving liquor and M Group lobbyists, legislators, and a secretive trip to distilleries in Kentucky.
There’s more for investigators to dig into:
• Harding Group: In the same month that M Group bought land for a warehouse site, Brenden Jones formed Harding Group LLC. (Harding is his middle name.) The Harding Group’s website says it “delivers authoritative expertise in transportation, construction, logistics and property development.” Is M Group a Harding Group client? Do any of the clients receive state funds?
• M Group’s Road: Last year, the N&O exposed how M Group got $15 million from the state legislature for a road in its Mooresville development – even though it promised local officials it would build the road “at no cost to taxpayers.” There’s also some evidence a lobbyist got a kickback from a legislator central to the road’s state grant.
• Double Dipping: Brenden Jones has profited for years from his legislative per-diem payments for food and lodging while serving in Raleigh. He pockets much of that money by having his campaign pay those expenses. In 2025, for example, he collected $19,800 in per diems while his campaign paid $17,900 for “legislative meals” and his Raleigh apartment. Sure looks like a violation of the state constitution’s ban on using public funds for personal gain.
Leaders here and in DC may think they’ll escape accountability, but voters of all persuasions want the swamp drained. Voters in 2026 want leaders who will short circuit pay-to-play politics with innovative policies and stiff penalties. People are ready for change.
Bob Hall is the former executive director of Democracy North Carolina.
