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Josh Stein
DEMOCRAT
Josh Stein is running for North Carolina Governor, Democratic Primary.
Political background
Josh Stein is the current Attorney General of North Carolina. Before serving as Attorney General, he was a State Senator for seven years serving from 2009 to 2016.
Professional background
Before becoming an elected official, Josh was a senior deputy attorney general for consumer protection in the North Carolina Department of Justice for eight years. He has also worked with the Self-Help Credit Union to transform abandoned drug houses into affordable single-family homes, and John Edwards for the US Senate as a campaign manager. He has also served as adjunct faculty for Campbell University School of Law for two years.
Personal background
Josh grew up in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Dartmouth College. Josh and his wife Anna reside in Raleigh, and they are members of Temple Beth. They have three children.
Sources:
Candidate website
Economy
- Supports raising the minimum wage and cutting taxes for working families.
- Plans to support small businesses by “reducing red tape, investing in innovative strategies for economic development, and increasing resources for technical assistance and mentorship programs.”
- Plans to increase homeownership opportunities and expand affordable rental housing.
Energy & the Environment
- Plans to encourage carbon neutrality by 2050 in North Carolina.
- Plans to invest in “resilient” infrastructure to prepare for climate change and natural disaster events.
- Supports transitioning to “a clean energy economy” and believes it “creates good-paying jobs and keeps… communities healthy and safe.”
Healthcare
- Supports access to abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and contraceptives and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.
- Believes protecting access to rural healthcare is critical.
- Supports increased access to telemedicine.
- Supports Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act.
- Advocates for hospital price transparency.
- Advocates for “addressing the youth mental health crisis” and criticizes social media companies because these companies “do not see young people as children to be protected but as dollar signs to be exploited."
- As Attorney General, sued e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for the teen vaping epidemic, and won $40 million for helping correct nicotine addiction.
Voting & Elections
- The candidate's website says, "Dangerous lies and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, including false claims perpetuated by far-right extremists like Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, threaten our democracy and…"
- The candidate's website says, "“Students have a critical voice in determining what kind of future we have in North Carolina and who wins.”"
- The candidate's website says, "The Simkins PAC has been a powerful voice for change in Greensboro for decades,” said Attorney General and candidate for governor Josh Stein. “Their advocacy for voter registration... has pushed the city forward. I am honored by their endorsement..."
- Supports “an independent redistricting commission.”
- Plans to increase the required “cooling off” time between when elected officials leave office and can become lobbyists.
Public Safety
- Supports gun control.
- Supports “strategies to recruit and retain more public-spirited officers.”
- Believes fentanyl is a major issue and leads a Fentanyl Task Force that collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement.
Education
- Plans to increase funding for public education.
- Supports teacher pay raises and “universal, healthy school meals for all public school students.”
- Supports investing in early childhood educators, quality child care centers, and for more early childhood education slots.
- Supports increasing access to technical education and apprenticeships.
- Supports “no-cost community college for students pursuing coursework in [the] state’s growing, high-demand industries.”
- Endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).
Foreign Policy
- Said, “North Carolina is the most veteran-friendly state… and as Governor, I’ll keep it that way. That means ensuring veterans can get good jobs, receive job training, find affordable housing, get the health care they need, and start a small business after their military service.”
Sources:
Candidate website
