Photo by Jenny Warburg

"Josh is smart, hard-working, tough, and most importantly, passionate about helping others. I've seen him work up close, and throughout his career ­ in nonprofits, the US Senate, and the North Carolina Attorney General's office, Josh has served the public with distinction and helped make North Carolina a better state."

-Senator John Edwards

The Independent Endorses Josh Stein

Josh Stein landed the last major endorsement and one of the biggest -- the Independent Weekly.

This brings the number of groups that have endorsed Josh to an impressive 14! For a contested open seat, this run is remarkable. Thanks for your help in making this happen.

The Independent wrote Josh possessed an "exceptionally strong progressive record of accomplishment" and "experience and demonstrated skill getting bills passed." Josh "would be a terrific state legislator."

"[W]e endorse Josh Stein, an attorney from Raleigh who directs the Consumer Protection Division at the N.C. Attorney General's office. There, he has tackled predatory lending, telemarketing and identity theft, bringing relevant bills to the General Assembly and getting them passed. Stein also ran John Edwards' Senate campaign in 1997 and was one of his legal aides in Washington, D.C. Stein cites his top priorities as improving education, reforming the health care system—that includes expanding health insurance for kids and fixing the mental health mess—and managing growth in a way that preserves the environment and quality of life. He has a long list of endorsements, from the AFL-CIO to Equality NC. We're excited by Stein's energy, drive and commitment to progressive goals. We hope to see him accomplish those goals in the General Assembly for a long time."

Josh Stein Receives The Conservation Council of North Carolina CCNC PAC Endorsement

Brownie Newman of CCNC stated,

"Josh Stein is one of the best candidates running for the North Carolina Legislature in 2008. He will be a strong, effective leader for our air, land and water resources and a champion for clean, renewable energy. We are proud to endorse his campaign."

Josh Stein Receives American Federation of Teachers – North Carolina (AFT) Endorsement

Dianne Jackson, AFT-NC President, said:

"Josh Stein will make a great Senator for public school teachers and for our students.  He and his wife both attended North Carolina public schools, and so do their children. He understands that we have to improve education by recruiting and retaining great teachers, making sure all children come to school ready to learn, and ensuring that college is affordable. We are proud to endorse Josh for Senate District 16."

Josh Stein Receives Raleigh Police Protective Association (RPPA) Endorsement

Rick Armstrong, RPPA President, said:

“On behalf of the Raleigh Police Protective Association, I am pleased to announce our endorsement of Josh Stein for North Carolina Senate. We know that Josh will be a strong champion for the rights of police officers and public safety. We are proud to support his campaign."

Josh Stein Receives Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association (RFFA) Endorsement

Keith Wilder, RFFA President, said:

“Josh Stein, for NC Senate District 16, is the obvious choice for the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighter’s Association. He will fight for those of us who are committed to keeping our communities safe and who seek the right to bargain collectively. We know where Josh stands... it's on the Senate floor advocating on behalf of working families and the community at large.”

 

Josh Stein Receives The Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association (RWCA) Endorsement

RWCA M-PAC Chair Larry Dickens said:

“RWCA M-PAC is pleased to endorse Josh Stein for NC Senate District 16 in the May 6 primary. Based on Josh’s background and accomplishments, we believe that Josh will effectively represent minority citizens of Raleigh and Wake County in the important areas of employment/business opportunities, quality education, affordable health care and safe/healthy neighborhoods. With the high growth of identity theft and his having spearheaded the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act, Josh’s expertise will make this Act even stronger for all citizens of North Carolina.”

Josh Stein Receives the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Endorsement

Kevin LeCount, SEANC political director, said:

"Josh Stein, as a state employee, has a unique understanding of the issues and concerns central to his fellow state employees. I have no doubt that with his experience and dedication to public service he will be an effective leader in the state Senate for his constituents and for SEANC members. We are proud to support him."

Josh Stein Receives Equality NC Endorsement

ENC Executive Director Ian Palmquist said:

"Josh Stein will be a strong and effective advocate for justice and equality in the NC Senate. His commitment and experience will be an asset for the 16th senate district and the state."

Josh Stein Receives AFL-CIO Endorsement

North Carolina State AFL-CIO President James Andrews said:

"The Triangle Labor Council and the North Carolina State AFL-CIO are proud to support Josh Stein. As head of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, he has proved himself as a champion for working families. We know we can count on Josh to keep fighting for working people in the Senate."

Cary Mayor and Smart Growth Leader Harold Weinbrecht Endorses Josh Stein

“I am proud to endorse Josh and encourage my supporters to vote for him on May 6th."

Mayor Weinbrecht recognizes in Josh a leader who shares his own dedication to public service and his concerns about the future of Cary, Wake County, and North Carolina stating, “Josh is precisely the type of leader Cary citizens need in the General Assembly. His commitment to working for the people of Cary and his dedication as a public servant who understands critical issues will be a tremendous benefit to us and the state.”

Cary residents deal with the issues central to this election on a daily basis. Mayor Weinbrecht voiced his strong confidence that Josh is the right leader to tackle these issues in the General Assembly stating, “Josh promises to be an advocate for issues crucial to Cary's quality of life including great schools, an aggressive transportation policy, and the need for strong water conservation. His record of success combating unwanted telemarketing and identity theft shows that he can stand up to special interests to get the work of the people done.”

Stein, honored by the endorsement of a prominent local leader who has a unique understanding of the challenges facing our region, said, “I am tremendously encouraged to have Mayor Weinbrecht’s support. We share a dedication to public service, and I look forward to working with Mayor Weinbrecht to address the challenges facing our community and our state as your state Senator.”

Josh Stein was raised in the Triangle and cares passionately about Wake County’s future. He resides in Raleigh with his wife Anna and their three young children. For the past 7 years Josh has been Director of the Consumer Protection Division of Attorney General Roy Cooper.

Mayor Weinbrecht's full statement:

"Josh is precisely the type of leader Cary citizens need in the General Assembly. His commitment to working for the people of Cary and his dedication as a public servant who understands critical issues will be a tremendous benefit to us and the state. He promises to be an advocate for issues crucial to our quality of life including great schools, an aggressive transportation policy, and the need for strong water conservation. His record of success combating unwanted telemarketing and identity theft shows that he can stand up to special interests to get the work of the people done. I am proud to endorse Josh and encourage my supporters to vote for him on May 6th."

Josh Stein Receives NARAL Endorsement
For his dedication to public service and commitment to a woman’s right to choose, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina formally endorses and pledges support to Josh Stein, candidate for state Senate

Raleigh, NC – Recognizing a lifetime of support and advocacy for a woman’s right to choose, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina officially endorsed Josh Stein’s candidacy today for the North Carolina Senate (District 16 – Downtown Raleigh and western Wake County). NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina is the first organization to endorse for this seat.

Melissa Reed, the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina said, “It is an honor to associate our organization with Josh’s campaign and provide him with the support of our membership. Our aim is to elect leaders who will protect a woman’s right to choose and advocate for fundamental women’s health issues. We firmly believe that Josh Stein is precisely that type of leader.”

This endorsement, the first to be given in the campaign for Senate District 16, builds on the momentum Stein has established with his active grassroots campaign and broad base of support. Stein is encouraged by and proud to receive the endorsement.

“I have been dedicated to public service my entire life,” Stein stated. “As your state Senator, I will protect a woman’s right to choose and address vital concerns to women’s reproductive health.”

Josh Stein is a Triangle native and cares passionately about Wake County’s future. He resides in Raleigh with his wife Anna and their three young children. For the past 7 years Josh has been Director of the Consumer Protection Division of Attorney General Roy Cooper.

Letters of Support 

I’m an enthusiastic supporter of Josh Stein in his bid for the state Senate seat being vacated by Janet Cowell. I hope you also will consider voting for Josh.

Here are a few reasons why I think he’d make a tremendous senator, including on environmental and conservation issues. First and foremost, Josh is a quality individual – he’s smart, progressive, generous, and chock full of integrity. He knows how to get things done. He’s been an effective advocate for consumers and the voiceless, both at Self Help Credit Union and as AG Roy Cooper’s Director of Consumer Protection for the past seven years. He has successfully taken on payday lenders, telemarketers, and internet creeps. Previously, he helped John Edwards get elected to the Senate as Edwards’ campaign manager. Josh then served as Edwards’ Deputy Chief of Staff in Washington for two years, which is where I met him.

Josh is a true progressive, and will fight for the kinds of values I believe in, particularly when it comes to ensuring clean air and clean water, fighting global warming, and preserving our vanishing open spaces. Josh has made environmental protection a cornerstone of his campaign. For Josh, it’s not just about policies either. He and his wife Anna have done incredible things in their own home, using recycled building materials, geothermal energy, solar hot water, and highly energy efficient appliances, and preserving trees. They talk it and live it.

This is a critically important race, and I’m confident that Josh Stein will be a stellar state senator.

-Reid Wilson

I’ve know Josh for 20 years since we were classmates at Dartmouth and later at Harvard. He is a person of outstanding character and moral conviction. He will be an outstanding Senator, caring for our community, crafting smart and sound policy, while safeguarding our childrens’ future through educational and environmental stewardship. I heartily support his candidacy and thank him for his desire to serve.

-John Replogle

I've spent the last several years watching the Legislature up close and I've noticed that the best legislators -- the ones who stand apart -- share certain characteristics. The best legislators know what the want to accomplish; they are principled; they play well with others; they are thoughtful; they are articulate; and they are respectful. The best legislators can distinguish between the battle and the war. I've known Josh since the second grade and I know his abilities and his record. He will serve us with distinction, honor and integrity and we will all be better for it. Please join me in voting for Josh on May 6th, then again in November!

-Laura DeVivo

I have known Josh for more than 35 years and I know his desire to help the people of North Carolina is both genuine and sincere. Although some might mistake his idealism as somewhat naïve and unrealistic, he is neither naïve nor unrealistic. He is very bright and capable of effecting real
change. I think he will represent the people of his district ably and with a sense of honor and integrity which is sometimes lacking in our elected officials. I know he considers it a privilege to serve others, not a stepping-stone, and my family and I endorse his candidacy wholeheartedly.

-David A. Konanc, M.D.

I've known Josh and his family for 17 years and over this time I've been continually impressed with the many important ways that the Stein family supports and serves the broader community's interest. With his strong education and public service experience, and his progressive family values – the authentic kind - Josh will make an excellent Senator for the district, and so I am very pleased to offer my endorsement of his campaign.

-John Bell

I have known Josh since we moved in next door to one another in the heart of the Piedmont when we were five. Since then he has through his lifelong advocacy shown himself to be ideally suited to represent all the citizens of North Carolina. His State Senatorial candidacy builds upon a long personal and family history of dedication to public service, and bodes nothing but good for the Old North State.

-Clark Troy

I've known Josh since the 1980s when we attended college together. He was always a terrific, highly capable and reliable classmate and person. He cared about issues on campus including the need to improve relations among various groups on campus across gender, race, religion and political orientation. I highly recommend Josh in his quest for this important role in public service.

-Dorothy Price Hill

I have known Josh Stein for many years. Josh is already an advocate for the people of this state. His work on the Identity Theft Act of 2005 was extraordinary and got national recognition. He navigated the halls of the legislature with ease and gained the trust and respect of all he encountered. Moreover, he protected those in a financial crisis by stopping the loan sharks with a payday lending bill. On a daily basis, Josh produces real change. I respect him and his judgment. I highly recommend Josh Stein for the North Carolina Senate. We are lucky he is running.

- Caroline Farmer

I have known Josh Stein personally for a long time and am thrilled that he is seeking yet another way to serve the people of North Carolina. Josh Stein is a rare person: one who is both brilliant and completely dedicated to serving others. Too many politicians run to put feathers in their caps. Not Josh Stein. Josh has always chosen his work to improve the lives of others. He listens even when he disagrees. But he is also assertive and smart about getting things done. While others are angling to push hidden agendas, Josh is forthright and focused on getting the best result. Even if you are someone who might disagree with his political viewpoints, it¹s nearly impossible to disagree with Josh Stein¹s values and selfless leadership.

- Emily Ayscue Hassel

A cynical tone and atmosphere of extreme partisanship have characterized political discourse in recent years, but I think Josh Stein's candidacy is a strong signal that, in our state capitol at least, this era may be coming to an end. In Josh, we will find a legislator who adheres to his progressive agenda while seeking common ground and consensus building with colleagues.

- Laura Goulian