Chris Bishopp, a Democrat, is running for North Carolina House of Representatives District 82 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Brian Echevarria.

Asked why he is seeking office, Bishopp said in our questionnaire: "I am concerned with the direction the country and state are going. I do not believe the GOP nationally and the super majority in the NC Assembly have the interests of working-class North Carolinians as their top priority. Cutting school funding, teacher pay at the bottom of national rankings, restricting access to affordable comprehensive healthcare … these are just a few of the examples of how they are working for the rich, themselves and their party and not the citizens. I want to change that."

Candidate information

Party: "Democratic Party"

Education: "BA, Political Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 1983 Masters in Public Administration, Georgia College, 1990"

Family: "Kristine Bishopp, Spouse Casey Bishopp, Jordan Bishopp - Daughters Michael Monks, Zachary Monks, Cameron Monks - Stepsons One granddaughter and two step-granddaughters"

Previous elected or appointed office: "none"

Bishopp is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. He has received an endorsement from the AFL-CIO, according to BallotReady.

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history, as Bishopp described in our questionnaire: "Officer, United States Navy 1983-1990 Air Traffic Controller, Federal Aviation Administration 1991-2022 Retired 12/31/2022"

Bishopp said he also served as a volunteer legislative representative at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association at the Greensboro Air Traffic Control Tower, according to his campaign website.

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Bishopp said in our questionnaire: "I had a successful 31 year career as an air traffic controller. I was responsible for hundreds of flights and thousands of lives on any given day. At times, circumstances such as volume, weather, an emergency or equipment issues made it very stressful. Being able to remain focused with the task at hand ensuring a safe and successful outcome was the demand of the job."

On the issues

Career background and approach to the General Assembly: Asked how his Navy and air traffic control experience would shape his approach, Bishopp said in our questionnaire: "My entire adult life has been in public service. I spent 7 years as an officer in the United States Navy and 31 years as a federal air traffic controller. My entire career I have been in positions where people counted on me to remain calm under pressure and make responsible decisions. I will view problems with a common-sense approach to come to a solution."

Housing and utility costs: Asked what bipartisan measures he would support to address rising costs in Cabarrus County, Bishopp said in our questionnaire: "I support home ownership through expanding targeted programs such as the North Carolina Finance Agency first-time homeowner down-payment program for first time homebuyers and veterans, especially for teachers, first responders and health care workers. Programs should have clear requirements and limits so assistance reaches the households that need it most. … I also support legislation and regulations that encourage construction of more smaller lot homes, townhomes, and duplexes allowing more households to afford ownership while protecting property rights and where the local governments determine they best fit."

He added: "I believe we need a bipartisan Utility Commission to actually regulate Duke Energy and not allow them to increase utility rates without true oversight."

Differences from his opponent: Bishopp said in our questionnaire: "My approach is to always have the best interest of the people of this county guiding my decision making. I believe big business in general and Duke Energy in particular have too much sway over the decisions being made by the GOP controlled General Assembly and my opponent is too willing to go along with that. I also believe we need a non-partisan re-districting committee to end gerrymandering and develop fair maps that do not violate citizens' rights to have their vote count."