Josh Stein Elected as North Carolina’s Next Governor

“We will go further when we go together – not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as Independents, but as North Carolinians.”

Tonight, Attorney General and Democratic nominee for Governor Josh Stein released the following statement after being elected as North Carolina’s next Governor:

“Tonight, North Carolinians resoundingly embraced a vision that’s optimistic, forward-looking, and welcoming. 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.” 

See below for Attorney General Stein’s remarks as prepared: 

Thank you, Governor Cooper, for that generous introduction.

And thank you, North Carolina!

Tonight, the people of North Carolina resoundingly embraced a vision that’s optimistic, forward-looking and welcoming –

a vision that is about creating opportunity for every North Carolinian.

We chose hope over hate.

Competence over chaos.

Decency over division.

That’s who we are as North Carolinians.

And I am so honored that you have elected me to be your next governor!

Who here, like me, loves North Carolina?

North Carolina is home.

Home to remarkable natural beauty.

Home to small businesses and fortune 500 companies.

Home to some of the finest universities and one of the best community college systems in the nation.

And we’re home to the best people. 

As we celebrate tonight, our hearts are with the folks in western North Carolina who are still struggling. 

Hurricane Helene swept in devastation, destruction, and darkness, but the goodness of North Carolinians shone through.

Neighbors helping neighbors. People dropping everything to lend a hand.

And by the way, none of these folks cared about the political party of the person they were helping – they just showed up … because that’s who we are as North Carolinians.

And we will show up for the people of western North Carolina to help them rebuild safer and stronger than ever before! 

I ran for governor because I love our home state and I believe in the promise of North Carolina: 

that where you come from should never limit how far you can go,

that our kids and grandkids should enjoy a better and brighter future than we’ve had,

that every North Carolinian should have a fair shot at success – to start a small business or get a good-paying job – everywhere in our state, including small town, North Carolina.

To deliver on that promise, we must invest in our people and their futures, so that together we build a safer, stronger North Carolina, 

where our economy continues to grow and works for everyone,

where our public schools are excellent and our teachers are well-paid, and

where our neighborhoods are safe and women can make their own decisions about their own bodies!

Just like with rebuilding western North Carolina, these issues – good jobs, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, and personal freedoms – are not partisan issues.

They are North Carolina issues.

We have big challenges ahead, but we have even bigger dreams to realize. 

We can cut taxes for workers so you keep more of your own money.

We can pay teachers what they deserve and open doors of opportunity for our children.

We can expand career and technical education because you shouldn’t have to go to college to provide for your family. 

To build this brighter future, we must put aside our differences and work together. 

We must reject the politics of division, fear, and hate that keep us from finding common ground.

We will go further when we go together – not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as Independents, but as North Carolinians. 

And I know we can do this because I know who we are. 

I have met so many inspiring people across our state.

Debbie in Cornelius – who tragically lost her son to fentanyl and is fighting to protect other families from that same fate. 

And Lauren, a teacher in Greenville – who digs into her own pocket to buy school supplies for her students to give them a better chance.

I thank everyone I’ve met along the way for sharing your stories with me.

And to the thousands and thousands of people from every corner of this state who built this campaign, I am forever grateful for your support.

Thank you for believing in the promise of North Carolina.

And if I didn’t earn your vote in this election, I hope to earn your trust by working hard for you as your Governor. 

I pledge to listen and work across party lines to do what’s right for North Carolina because no person or party has a monopoly on good ideas.

To all of the members of my campaign team, thank you for the long days and the late nights, the hard and high quality work, and the laughter along the way. You are incredible, and I am grateful.

I also want to thank Governor Cooper. Y’all, can we give him a hand?

This man has led our state with a steady hand through an unprecedented global pandemic, a 1,000-year storm in the west, and two 500-year floods in the east. 

He expanded Medicaid, strengthened our business climate, and fought for our public schools.

Roy, I could not be more grateful for your service and your friendship.

And do NOT even think about changing your cell phone number. 

And to my family.

My parents, Adam and Jane, raised my brother Eric, my sister Gerda and me to try to do what is right, just like they did. 

That’s one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children. 

Thank you. And I hate it that my dad caught a bug yesterday so they couldn’t be here tonight, but I know they’re watching on TV with some big smiles on their faces.  

To my wife, Anna. 

Thank you for being the glue that keeps our family together, 

for keeping me focused on the things that really matter, and 

for being you. 

I know you are going to be an incredible First Lady. 

We’re blessed to have our three kids here, Sam, Adam, and Leah. 

Mom and I love you very much and are so proud of you. 

Fundamentally, this campaign is about you and all the young people of North Carolina.

We want all of you to want to call North Carolina home, just like we do.

Friends, we are so blessed to be of this place.

And while nowhere is perfect, I firmly believe that whatever may be wrong with our state can be repaired by all that is right. 

After all, North Carolina is where the Greensboro Four sat down and the Wright brothers took flight.

It’s where my father joined Julius Chambers and James Ferguson to form North Carolina’s first integrated law firm to fight for equality and opportunity for all. 

It’s where people come together to solve tough problems and believe that our best days are ahead of us, not behind us.

This is our North Carolina. This is our home. 

So tonight, let’s celebrate this hard-fought victory.

And tomorrow, we will get back to work building a North Carolina that is safer, stronger, and more prosperous for everyone.

Thank you, and may God bless you and may God bless North Carolina!