Chapel Hillians will see one of their own in the Governor’s Mansion, as North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic candidate Josh Stein is projected to win the state’s gubernatorial election.
Stein led Republican candidate and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson 58% to 37% in early voting numbers, enough of a projected lead to extend the Democratic Party’s hold on the governorship to 12 years after term-limited Gov. Roy Cooper’s eight years in the role.
“Tonight, North Carolinians resoundingly embraced a vision that’s optimistic, forward-looking, and welcoming,” Stein said to a crowd of gathered supporters at the state Democratic Party’s Election Night event in Raleigh. “We have big challenges in front of us – from rebuilding western North Carolina to investing in our public schools and protecting our personal freedoms. But I know we will go further when we go together – not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as Independents, but as North Carolinians. Thank you to every North Carolinian who made your voice heard. I am honored beyond measure that you have elected me to be your next Governor.”
The two gubernatorial candidates’ campaigns began to significantly diverge from each other in September, when a report by CNN dug up online comments and activity on pornography websites that the outlet connected to Robinson’s personal email and usernames. It was just the latest in a line of controversy stemming from Robinson’s past remarks, which included demeaning comments toward women leaders, the LGBTQ+ community and those who seek reproductive healthcare like abortions. Since then, the fundraising gap continued to grow between Stein and the Republican lieutenant governor, with Robinson’s campaign stopping ad campaigns and holding rallies in smaller, rural areas. Stein, meanwhile, was featured in rallies alongside Vice President and Democratic nominee for president Kamala Harris during several campaign stops in North Carolina.
Thank you, North Carolina! I am honored to serve as your next governor. Tonight, we came together to resoundingly embrace a vision that is optimistic, forward-looking, and welcoming. I couldn't have done this without each of you. pic.twitter.com/3eeGGTVHed
— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) November 6, 2024
Stein will follow a similar path to Cooper, as the outgoing governor was also his predecessor and mentor as North Carolina’s attorney general. The pair of Democrats made several campaign stops together in the homestretch of the general election, including one in Chapel Hill to urge young, college-aged voters to participate and vote for a Democratic Council of State.
Cooper shared congratulations to Stein on state in Raleigh at the state Democratic Party’s Election Night gathering, as well as on social media.
“Serving as your Governor has been the honor of a lifetime,” Cooper wrote on X. “And tonight, we elected Josh Stein to keep moving us forward. He has the steady hand, the clear-eyed vision, and the servant’s heart to help make North Carolina stronger than ever.”
Stein, who was raised in Chapel Hill after being born in Washington D.C., attended school locally before going to Dartmouth College and Harvard University for his college degrees. He was tapped to be the states consumer protection chief during Cooper’s stint as attorney general before serving in North Carolina’s Senate District 16 for two terms. Stein earned election to become North Carolina’s attorney general in 2016, defeating Republican Buck Newton, before winning a narrow re-election in 2020 over Republican Jim O’Neill.
Among his key issues shared on the campaign trail, Stein’s platform focused on improving housing while addressing the high cost of living in the state, strengthening public schools and improving teacher pay, and protecting people’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare. He also championed the work his office did as attorney general, citing the successful clearing of a backlog of rape kits, extensive litigation against opioid manufacturers and additional work to protect North Carolinians’ safety and rights as consumers.
More 2024 state and local election results can be found on Chapelboro’s results page.
Featured photo via Josh Stein for North Carolina.
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