Josh Stein’s victory in the North Carolina governor’s race this year was notable for more than just the size of his win. With the state trending purple, the election held deep significance, not only for Democrats locally but for the national political climate following the 2024 presidential race.
Stein, the state's outgoing attorney general, achieved the largest margin of victory by any candidate in battleground states, defeating his opponent, Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, by 15 points. This results came after Stein maintained focus on pivotal issues such as law enforcement, job creation, and women’s rights, even as Robinson battled scandals throughout the campaign.
Campaigning hard and staying relevant to the electorate, Stein secured over 171,000 votes more than former President Donald Trump did during the election. This victory not only secured Stein’s position as governor-elect but also paved the way for Democrats to win every statewide race, including lieutenant governor and attorney general, and break the Republican supermajority within the state legislature.
Stein's strategy, he notes, was simple yet effective: “I worked very hard. The team around me is extremely strong. We ran a savvy campaign,” he said during one of his post-election interviews. Moving beyond partisan rhetoric, Stein concentrated on demonstrating his commitment to local communities. He viewed his responsibility as not just running for office but as being able to improve the lives of everyday citizens.
Interestingly, as Stein credits hard work and solid campaigning for his win, there is no overlooking the role luck played. When Robinson exploded onto the scene, he was recognized as potentially the strongest candidate the Republicans had but quickly fell from grace amid reports of inflammatory and controversial statements he made online.
After CNN exposed Robinson's previous racist and sexual comments on social media and other sites, national Republican funds dried up, deflateging what had once looked like a competitive race. Stein's team stayed vigilant, capitalizing on these missteps by running ads featuring Robinson's own controversial remarks, effectively highlighting their opponent's weaknesses.
While Stein's campaign was undeniably buoyed by Robinson's descent, Stein's win should not simply be viewed through the lens of luck. The Democratic candidate entered the race with considerable political experience, being the state attorney general who had previously cleared rape kit backlogs and prosecuted fentanyl-related crimes. “I don’t think it was believable because I had all these law enforcement validators,” Stein told reporters, emphasizing his strong record as part of his successful strategy.
Starting out as the underdog, the Stein campaign focused on grassroots engagement and identifying the issues closest to voters' hearts. Their approach appeared to bear fruit—his underdog status played well with constituents who felt disenfranchised. Stein pointed out, “It’s like, ‘Are you working to help people have abetter life?’ And if you’ve done it and you’re talking about issues they care about, I think voters will reward you.”
His success serves as inspiration for Democrats across the nation who now look to him for guidance on replicable strategies. Stein's win could shed light on potentially shifting dynamics for the Democratic Party heading toward future elections, especially as many blue states are experiencing upward trends for Republicans.
Stein's history as the state's first Jewish governor is also remarkable, and he worked diligently to craft his message and define his identity for voters before the election, making sure to highlight achievements over polarization and divisiveness.
Despite the fervor surrounding Stein’s impressive win, challenges lie ahead. The North Carolina coast still feels the impact of Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic flooding. Stein will have to devote attention to recovery efforts alongside proving his leadership skills after achieving this decisive electoral victory. The storm was unforgiving, dropping nearly 40 trillion gallons of rain, devastating many communities, with recovery still uncertain even months later.
Now, with the state still struggling to recover, Stein must orchestrate relief efforts and connect with federal representatives to garner financial aid and other resources necessary to rebuild communities affected by the hurricane.
Stein's victory lays the groundwork for potential improvements across the state. He is determined to build coalitions and leverage his relationships throughout both sides of the political aisle, emphasizing bipartisan dialogue around the pressing issues facing North Carolina. He asserted, “You have to be able to compartmentalize,” when discussing the need for cooperation with the Republican-controlled legislature post-election.
With campaign trails now behind him, Stein is preparing for the demands of his new role as governor. His strategic focus on voters’ pressing needs, achievements, and the relevance of authentic campaigning are lessons he hopes will resonate beyond the borders of North Carolina. What remains is for Stein to move from campaign promises to governance and recovery efforts effectively.
Stein's tenure could prove pivotal, especially as he navigates conflicts with Republican legislators aiming to undermine his authority, but with the backing of voters recognizing his commitment, he may just find success—if he remains true to the mission he championed throughout the campaign.
