Josh Stein

For the American businessman, see Josh B. Stein.

• Dartmouth College (BA)
• Harvard University (MPP, JD)

Josh Stein
76th Governor of North Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2025
Website	Campaign website

Joshua Harold Stein (born September 13, 1966) ^[1] is an American lawyer and politician who has served since 2025 as the 76th governor of North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, Stein served from 2017 to 2025 as the 51st attorney general of North Carolina and from 2009 to 2016 in the North Carolina Senate.

Born in Washington, D.C., Stein moved to North Carolina with his family at an early age. He studied at Dartmouth College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School before being elected to represent North Carolina's 16th Senate district in 2008. Stein left the State Senate upon winning the Democratic nomination in the 2016 North Carolina Attorney General election, in which he defeated Republican nominee Buck Newton by 0.54%, making him the first Jewish person to win a statewide election in North Carolina. ^{[2] [3]} He was reelected in 2020, narrowly defeating Republican nominee Jim O'Neill by 0.26%. ^[4]

Stein chose not to seek a third term as state attorney general and instead ran for governor in the 2024 election. ^[5] After winning the Democratic nomination, he defeated Republican nominee Mark Robinson in the general election by 14.8%. ^[6]

Early life and education

Stein was born on September 13, 1966, in Washington, D.C., the son of Jane (Stoneman) and Adam Stein. ^[7] His family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, before settling in Chapel Hill, where his father co-founded North Carolina's first integrated law firm. ^{[8] [9]}

Stein attended Chapel Hill High School and played on its state championship soccer team. ^{[10] [11]} After graduating, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Dartmouth College in 1988. ^[12] After college, he taught English and economics in Zimbabwe. ^[13] Stein went on to earn degrees from Harvard Law School and the Kennedy School of Government.

Early career

Stein in 2013

In the 1990s, Stein interned for State Representative Dan Blue. Out of law school, Stein worked for the Self-Help Credit Union and the North Carolina Minority Support Center. ^[14] After managing John Edwards's 1998 U.S. Senate campaign, ^[15] he served as Edwards's deputy chief of staff from January 1999 to December 2000. ^[16] According to Edwards official Andrew Young, Elizabeth Edwards prevented her husband from naming Stein his chief of staff in the Senate because he withheld information from her, which was at John's direction. ^[17]

In 2001, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper appointed Stein as Senior Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection. ^[10] He held that position until his election to the State Senate in 2008. ^{[18] [14]} From 2012 until 2016, he served as Of Counsel at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, a regional law firm.

Stein defeated Republican John Alexander to represent the 16th district in the North Carolina Senate in 2008. ^[19] After being reelected in 2010, he was elected minority whip by his colleagues. ^[20]

In the Senate, Stein worked to expand the state's DNA database, ban cyberstalking, extend and expand the state's renewable energy tax credit, and improve school safety. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

North Carolina Attorney General

As attorney general, Stein worked to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits, the nation's largest. ^{[24] [25] [26]} This led to arrests in cases involving a 2015 assault and attempted murder in Durham, North Carolina; ^[27] assaults in 2009 and 2010 in Fayetteville; ^[28] and a 1993 assault in Winston-Salem. ^[29]

Stein in 2021

Stein led the bipartisan effort of state attorneys general to negotiate a national settlement framework with drug companies—manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy chains—over the nation's opioid epidemic, totaling more than $50 billion. ^[30] North Carolina's share of the settlement was $1.5 billion. ^[31] Stein negotiated a memorandum of agreement with the state's counties that ensured the vast majority of the funds would go to prevention, harm reduction, treatment or recovery. ^[32] Johns Hopkins School of Public Health recognized this partnership as one of the best in the nation. ^[33]

In 2018, Stein filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court arguing in favor of the Affordable Care Act. ^[34] In 2019, he became the country's first attorney general to sue e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for unlawful marketing to minors. ^[35] Stein won multiple settlements with Juul totaling nearly $48 million, setting a standard the rest of the nation followed. ^{[36] [37]}

Stein filed briefs supporting medication abortions and opposing restrictions on women from traveling to receive healthcare. ^{[38] [39]} He opposed the state's 12-week abortion ban enacted in 2023. ^[40]

Stein negotiated eight Anti-Robocall Principles with a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general and 12 companies to protect phone users from illegal robocalls. ^[41] He also launched Operation Silver Shield, an effort to protect older North Carolinians from fraud and scams.^{[ citation needed ]}

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, Stein won a preliminary injunction against a Charlotte tow company sued for price-gouging ^[42] and announced the investigation of nine North Carolina–based sellers on Amazon accused of raising prices on coronavirus-related products, including hand sanitizer and N95 masks. ^[43] Stein won more than $1 million in price-gouging cases. ^[44]

On August 21, 2021, the legislature voted to remove Stein as its legal representation before the courts after he refused to appeal the findings of a lower court that a North Carolina state law that disenfranchised anyone convicted of a felony was unconstitutional. Stein said he had been waiting for the ruling to be formally filed. Legislative leaders alleged Stein was "slow-walking" the case to allow felons to vote in the next election. ^{[45] [46] [ better source needed ]}

2024 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election

See also: Mark Robinson (American politician) § 2024 gubernatorial run

Map of the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election results.

On January 18, 2023, Stein announced his candidacy for governor of North Carolina in the 2024 election. ^[15] He was endorsed by Governor Roy Cooper and hundreds of other elected officials and organizations. ^{[47] [48]}

On Super Tuesday, Stein advanced to the general election and faced Republican lieutenant governor Mark Robinson. ^[49] After a CNN report on inflammatory and antisemitic comments Robinson had made on a pornography forum, Stein became the heavy favorite. ^{[50] [51]}

Stein won the election by a margin of over 14%, even as Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris by 3.4% in the concurrent 2024 presidential election in North Carolina. Stein had previously won statewide by only 0.54% in 2016 and 0.26% in 2020.

Governor of North Carolina

On January 1, 2025, Stein was sworn in as the 76th governor of North Carolina, becoming the state's first Jewish governor. ^[52]

Personal life

Stein is married to Anna Harris Stein. They have three children. He and his family are members of Temple Beth Or, a Reform synagogue in Raleigh. ^[13] He is a former YMCA basketball and J.C.C. soccer coach. ^[12]

Electoral history

North Carolina Senate

2008 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein	58,357	60.83
	Republican	John Alexander	37,586	39.17
Total votes			95,943	100.00

2010 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein (incumbent)	32,248	54.89
	Republican	Michael Beezley	24,466	41.64
	Libertarian	Stephanie Watson	2,040	3.47
Total votes			58,754	100.00

2012 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein (incumbent)	69,405	100.00
Total votes			69,405	100.00

2014 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein (incumbent)	42,422	67.11
	Republican	Jason Mitchell	20,791	32.89
Total votes			63,213	100.00

Attorney general

2016 North Carolina Attorney General primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein	510,003	53.37
	Democratic	Marcus Williams	445,524	46.63
Total votes			955,527	100.00

2016 North Carolina Attorney General election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein	2,276,410	50.27
	Republican	Buck Newton	2,256,178	49.73
Total votes			4,532,588	100.00

2020 North Carolina Attorney General election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Josh Stein (incumbent)	2,713,400	50.13	−0.14
	Republican	Jim O'Neill	2,699,778	49.87	+0.14
Total votes			5,413,178	100.00	N/A

Governor

2024 North Carolina gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Stein	476,448	69.64
	Democratic	Michael R. Morgan	97,908	14.31
	Democratic	Chrelle Booker	45,695	6.68
	Democratic	Marcus Williams	38,996	5.70
	Democratic	Gary Foxx	25,100	3.67
Total votes			684,147	100.00

2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Josh Stein	3,069,496	54.90%	+3.38%
	Republican	Mark Robinson	2,241,309	40.08%	–6.93%
	Libertarian	Mike Ross	176,392	3.14%	+2.04%
	Constitution	Vinny Smith	54,607	0.98%	N/A
	Green	Wayne Turner	49,384	0.88%	N/A
Total votes			5,591,547	100%
	Democratic hold

See also

• List of Jewish American jurists

References

1. "Josh Stein's Biography". Vote Smart.
2. Gannon, Patrick (November 29, 2013). "Josh Stein says he'll run for NC Attorney General in 2016". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
3. "Jewish Firsts in North Carolina Politics". November 25, 2020.
4. "NC Attorney General Josh Stein wins reelection". newsobserver.com/. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
5. "NC Attorney General Josh Stein to run for governor". Abc 11. January 18, 2023.
6. "Stein defeats scandal-plagued Robinson in North Carolina gubernatorial race". November 5, 2024.
7. "Josh Stein (D-NC)". CQ Press . Retrieved October 3, 2022.
8. "The fight goes on for Adam Stein". The Daily Tar Heel. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
9. Rosen, Richard A.; Mosnier, Joseph (October 18, 2016). Julius Chambers: A Life in the Legal Struggle for Civil Rights. UNC Press Books. ISBN   978-1-4696-2855-4.
10. Anderson, Bryan (September 25, 2022). "How NC Attorney General Josh Stein is bracing for his next big political fight". WRAL. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
11. Blythe, Anne (April 29, 2018). "Josh Stein, the product of a bluer North Carolina, is on the front lines fighting Trump". The News and Observer. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
12. N.C. SENATE DISTRICT 16. The News and Observer. October 25, 2008.
13. "Meet Josh". Josh Stein for Attorney General. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016.
14. "Josh Stein". truth initiative: inspiring lives free from smoking, vaping & nicotine. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
15. Schneider, Elena (January 18, 2023). "North Carolina AG Josh Stein launches bid for governor". Politico. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
16. Helms takes aim at court. The News and Observer. December 2, 2000.
17. Young, Andrew (January 2010). The Politician. MacMillan Publishers. p. 72.
18. Sen. Josh Stein - a different seat at the table. The News and Observer. January 28, 2009.
19. Dalesio, Emery (November 5, 2008). Democrats likely to keep hold of state legislature. The Charlotte Observer.
20. "NC Senate Democrats choose leaders". The News & Observer. December 18, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
21. Bonner, Lynn (July 9, 2010). "State Senate supports taking DNA upon arrest". News and Observer. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
22. "Stein - North Carolina Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Studies - 2019 Winter School". North Carolina Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Studies - 2019 Winter School - Providing Excellence in Addiction Training since 1978. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
23. "Josh Stein - Democratic Attorneys General Association". Democratic Attorneys General Association. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
24. DeWitt, Dave (January 29, 2019). "NC AG Stein Calls For More Funding To Test Backlogged Rape Kits". wunc.org. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
25. Donovan, Chelsea (January 30, 2019). "Attorney General announces Survivor Act; $6 million to combat rape test kit backlog". wect.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
26. DeGrave, Sam. "Attorney General announces $2M grant to begin clearing NC's 15,000 untested rape kits". Citizen Times. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
27. "4 Year Old Sexual Assault Cold Case Solved". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
28. "DNA Used to Charge Man in Series of Cold Case Rapes in Cumberland County". wfmynews2.com. May 7, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
29. "Rape Kit Test Leads to Arrest of 71-Year-Old Man in 1993 Assault". wfmynews2.com. September 18, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
30. WECT Staff (October 21, 2019). "N.C. among four states that reach $48B settlement framework with drug companies over opioid epidemic". wect.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
31. "About the Opioid Settlements - North Carolina Opioid Settlements". North Carolina Opioid Settlements. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
32. "MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON PROCEEDS RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID LITIGATION" (PDF). More Powerful NC. February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
33. Ahmed, Nazneen (June 28, 2023). "North Carolina Recognized for Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis and Save Lives - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
34. Emert, Jennifer (December 18, 2018). "NC joins the legal fight over ACA; how the recent TX ruling could affect your benefits". WLOS. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
35. WRAL (October 23, 2019). "North Carolina the first in the country to file lawsuits against e-cigarette companies". WRAL.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
36. Ahmed, Nazneen (June 28, 2021). "Attorney General Stein Reaches Agreement with JUUL for $40 Million and Drastic Business Changes - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
37. Ahmed, Nazneen (December 7, 2023). "Attorney General Josh Stein Announces Additional $7.8 Million from Agreement with Juul - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
38. Ahmed, Nazneen (February 6, 2024). "Attorney General Josh Stein Files Motion for Summary Judgment to Protect Medication Abortion in North Carolina - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
39. Ahmed, Nazneen (September 23, 2022). "Attorney General Josh Stein Protects Women's Reproductive Freedom - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
40. "'Every legal option.' NC Attorney General vows to fight new abortion law". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. May 17, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
41. "Attorney General Josh Stein leads 51 attorneys general, 12 companies in fight to stop robocalls". WNCT. August 22, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
42. "AG wins preliminary injunction against Charlotte tow company sued for price-gouging". WSOC. May 27, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
43. "Attorney General Josh Stein's office goes after N.C. based Amazon price gougers". WNCT. March 29, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
44. Ahmed, Nazneen (November 10, 2021). "Attorney General Josh Stein Reaches $20,000 Settlement with Charlotte Area Gas Station Over Colonial Pipeline Price Gouging - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
45. Woodhouse, Dallas (August 24, 2021). "Lawmakers fire AG Stein for refusing to appeal felon voting ruling". Carolina Journal. John Locke Foundation. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021.
46. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
47. "Josh Stein For North Carolina Announces Slate Of More Than 100 New Endorsers". Josh Stein for NC. January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
48. "NCAE Endorses Attorney General Josh Stein for Governor in 2024". North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
49. Edelman, Adam (March 5, 2024). "Republican Mark Robinson and Democrat Josh Stein will face off in North Carolina's governor race". NBC News . Retrieved March 5, 2024.
50. Kaczynski, Andrew (September 19, 2024). "'I'm a black NAZI!': NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum". CNN . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
51. "Porn site user linked to Mark Robinson also praised Mein Kampf - The …". archive.ph. September 21, 2024. Archived from the original on September 21, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
52. "Josh Stein becomes Governor of North Carolina after taking oath of office on New Year's Day". WTVD. January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.

Further reading

• Raleigh News & Observer profile (archived)
• NC General Assembly page (archived)

External links

• Attorney General Josh Stein government website
• Josh Stein for North Carolina campaign website
• Josh Stein at Ballotpedia
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Profile at Vote Smart

North Carolina Senate
Preceded by Janet Cowell	Member from the 16th district 2009–2016	Succeeded by Jay Chaudhuri
Party political offices
Preceded by Roy Cooper	Democratic nominee for Attorney General of North Carolina 2016, 2020	Succeeded by Jeff Jackson
	Democratic nominee for Governor of North Carolina 2024	Most recent
Legal offices
Preceded by Roy Cooper	Attorney General of North Carolina 2017–2025	Succeeded by Jeff Jackson
Political offices
Preceded by Roy Cooper	Governor of North Carolina 2025-present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Kamala Harris as Vice President	Order of precedence of the United States Within North Carolina	Succeeded by Mayor of city in which event is held
		Succeeded by Otherwise Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House
Preceded by Kathy Hochul as Governor of New York	Order of precedence of the United States Outside North Carolina	Succeeded by Dan McKee as Governor of Rhode Island