RALEIGH, N.C. — Voters in North Carolina went to the polls on Tuesday to choose a new governor to replace the term-limited Democratic incumbent, Roy Cooper. The candidates on the ballot included Attorney General Josh Stein, who aimed to uphold Cooper’s policies, and Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who garnered support among hardline conservatives with his straightforward speaking style and working-class background.
The gubernatorial race featured not only Stein and Robinson but also three third-party candidates vying for the governorship of the nation’s ninth-largest state. Historically, Democrats have held the governor’s mansion for all but four years since 1993, even as Republicans have taken control of the legislature and the appeals courts in recent times.
Initially, this contest was regarded as one of the most hotly contested and costly gubernatorial races of the year. Josh Stein and his supporters, benefiting from a substantial fundraising lead, utilized campaign advertisements and social media to highlight past controversial comments made by Mark Robinson regarding abortion, women, and LGBTQ+ rights, portraying him as too extreme for a state that often swings between parties.
In September, Robinson’s campaign encountered significant turmoil following revelations from a CNN report about explicit racial and sexual remarks he allegedly made on a message board over a decade ago. Robinson denied the claims and subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN and a former employee of an adult store in October.
Following the fallout from the report, a majority of Robinson’s senior campaign staff resigned, and he faced distancing from many Republicans, including Donald Trump, the party’s presidential nominee. Financial support from outside entities for his campaign also dwindled. This shift allowed Stein to invest heavily in advertising in the final weeks of the campaign, often focusing on Robinson’s past issues, while Robinson’s campaign budget became nearly nonexistent.
Despite the setbacks, Robinson remained active on the campaign trail, engaging with small groups of supporters who resonated with his narrative of overcoming job losses and personal bankruptcy. He has emerged as a prominent advocate for gun rights and made history in 2020 as the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. If successful in the election, Robinson would also be North Carolina’s first Black governor.
On the other hand, Josh Stein, if elected, would make history as the state’s first Jewish governor. With a background that includes education from prestigious institutions like Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, he previously managed John Edwards’ successful U.S. Senate campaign in 1998. Stein also served as the state’s attorney general and was elected to the state Senate; however, his victories in both 2016 and 2020 were exceedingly narrow, with margins of fewer than 25,000 votes.
As attorney general, Stein championed various consumer protection initiatives, targeting issues like pollution, predatory student loans, and high electricity costs. His campaign focused on continuing Cooper’s agenda, advocating for increased funding for public schools, advancing clean energy initiatives, and pushing back against Republican efforts to impose further abortion restrictions. Additionally, the son of a distinguished civil rights attorney, Stein highlighted civil rights themes in his campaign speeches.
Robinson’s platform emphasized enhancing rural economies, supporting law enforcement and teachers, and replacing what he described as political indoctrination with essential skills education in public schools.
The final weeks of the campaign were also impacted by Hurricane Helene and its devastating floods in the mountainous regions of the state. Both candidates participated in recovery efforts, providing comfort to affected residents. Stein’s role as attorney general positioned him prominently during storm-related news conferences, and he met with President Joe Biden during his visit to North Carolina. Meanwhile, Robinson collaborated with a sheriff in central North Carolina to gather relief supplies and criticized Cooper for the state government’s initial response to the disaster.