Ray Nothstine is a Future of Freedom Fellow and senior editor and writer for State Policy Network, where he primarily helps to shepherd the American Habits publication. He previously worked as opinion editor at Carolina Journal and as a Second Amendment research fellow at the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Nothstine served for over seven years as managing editor of Religion & Liberty, a publication of the Acton Institute, an internationally top-ranked think tank in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He loves reading Christian theology and the history of human freedom. “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius and “Washington’s Crossing” by David Hackett Fischer are a couple of his favorite books.
Nothstine enjoys attending the co-sponsored colloquiums of the Acton Institute and Liberty Fund. He’s a participant in the American Enterprise Leadership Network.
His writings have appeared in popular national and state media outlets, including numerous state policy groups in the Southeast and Midwest. He has extensive media and lecture experience on public policy and cultural topics, including addressing seminary and law school faculty on religious liberty.
He’s an Ole Miss baseball and football fan and has lived in two foreign countries and eight states. He’s also an aficionado of traditional bluegrass and country music and a deep admirer of the artistic genius of Hank Williams and Ralph Stanley.
Nothstine has worked in ministry and on the staff of former U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor (D-Miss).
Nothstine graduated with a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also holds a B.A. in political science from The University of Mississippi in Oxford. He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and three sons.
Op-eds and Commentary
Saving ‘Our Democracy’ Requires Restoring Federalism
Ray Nothstine in National Review | April 6, 2024
The Case for Meaningful Public University Oversight
Ray Nothstine at Governing | January 31, 2024
Manchin Is Not a Messiah — Because No Politician Can Be
Ray Nothstine in The Messenger | November 29, 2023
This Veterans Day, Don’t Forget Vietnam
Ray Nothstine at National Review | November 11, 2023
For America’s Political Adults, Look Outside Washington
Ray Nothstine at Governing | October 30, 2023
Government Shutdowns Should Be a Wake-Up Call for States
Ray Nothstine in National Review| September 26, 2023
Don’t Call It a Comeback. Federalism Has Been Here for Years
Ray Nothstine in National Review| August 13, 2023
The REINS Act Would Pare Back the Administrative State
Ray Nothstine in the Washington Examiner| April 14, 2023
State of the Union? Look to the States of the Union.
Ray Nothstine in Governing | February 6, 2023