RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina began his tenure on Saturday by highlighting the determination and strength of the state’s residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He emphasized the importance of expediting recovery efforts, promising to cut through bureaucratic obstacles to help residents rebuild more swiftly.
Stein, a Democrat, conveyed an optimistic vision for his administration, expressing a desire to collaborate with the Republican-led General Assembly on various challenges, such as job creation, recruitment of educators, dismantling drug trafficking networks, and addressing the serious impacts of fentanyl crises.
“It is imperative that we tackle the aftermath of the devastating storm that hit our state as well as the daily challenges our neighbors face,” Stein stated confidently. “We will prevail together.”
Using the mantra “North Carolina Strong,” the new governor painted a picture of legislators joining forces to achieve meaningful results despite their political differences. He stressed the urgency of addressing pressing issues while calling for an end to trivial political disputes and divisive cultural conflicts.
During a televised address delivered from the House chambers of the historic Capitol building, Stein spoke primarily to his family and close staff. An outdoor inauguration event alongside the old Capitol was intended as part of a broader public celebration for Stein and other officials elected to the Council of State; however, it was canceled due to severe winter weather conditions.
With predictions of snow, sleet, and freezing rain leading to the decision by the state inaugural committee to suspend all public festivities—including a planned block party—officials also postponed planned inauguration celebrations from the previous Friday and Saturday evenings.
In earlier ceremonies, Stein and other Council of State members, including the lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state treasurer, had already taken their official oaths privately. Having succeeded term-limited Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, Stein provided a brief address during his swearing-in on January 1. However, his inaugural speech on Saturday, streamed by North Carolina public television, expanded to around 15 minutes.
Stein, who served as attorney general for the past eight years, won the gubernatorial election by defeating then-Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson by nearly 15 percentage points in November. He has already identified Hurricane Helene recovery as a top priority, having visited western North Carolina twice since taking office and issuing multiple executive orders to address the extensive flooding caused by the storm.
On the first day of the new session of the General Assembly, Republican leaders expressed optimism about cooperating with Stein to secure additional funding for hurricane recovery efforts early in 2025.
In terms of contentious legislative matters, Stein finds himself in a more advantageous position than his predecessor. The Republicans are one seat shy of a veto-proof majority in the House, meaning Stein’s vetoes are likely to stand if the House Democrats remain united.
The circumstances surrounding Stein’s inauguration echo challenges faced by Governor Cooper in past years, including inclement weather that forced the cancellation of his swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade in 2017. In Cooper’s second term, gatherings were curtailed due to COVID-19, leading to a televised inauguration held outside the Executive Mansion.
