Josh Stein

For the American businessman, see Josh B. Stein.

Josh Stein
Stein in 2024
51st Attorney General of North Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
GovernorRoy Cooper
Preceded byRoy Cooper
Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 16th district
In office
January 1, 2009 – March 21, 2016
Preceded byJanet Cowell
Succeeded byJay Chaudhuri
Personal details
Born
Joshua Harold Stein

(1966-09-13) September 13, 1966 (age 58)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAnna Harris
Children3
Education
WebsiteCampaign website
Official website

Joshua Harold Stein (born September 13, 1966)[1] is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 51st attorney general of North Carolina since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Stein previously served in the North Carolina Senate from 2009 to 2016.

Born in Washington, D.C., Stein moved to North Carolina with his family at an early age. He studied at Dartmouth College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School before being elected to represent North Carolina's 16th Senate district in 2008. Stein left the state Senate upon winning the Democratic nomination in the 2016 North Carolina Attorney General election and defeated Republican state senator Buck Newton, making him the first Jewish person to win a statewide election in North Carolina.[2][3] He was re-elected in 2020 after defeating Republican Forsyth County district attorney Jim O'Neill.[4]

Stein chose not to seek a third term as state attorney general and instead to run for governor in the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election.[5] After winning the Democratic nomination, he faces Republican lieutenant governor Mark Robinson in the general election.[6]

Early life and education

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Stein was born on September 13, 1966, in Washington, D.C.[7] His family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina before settling in Chapel Hill, where his father, Adam Stein, co-founded North Carolina's first integrated law firm.[8]

He attended Chapel Hill High School and played on its state championship soccer team.[9][10] After graduating from high school, Stein earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History at Dartmouth College in 1988.[11] After college, he taught English and economics in Zimbabwe.[12] Stein then went on to earn degrees from Harvard Law School and the Kennedy School of Government.

Early career

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Stein in 2013

In the 1990s, Stein interned for State Representative Dan Blue. Out of law school, Stein worked for the Self-Help Credit Union and the North Carolina Minority Support Center.[13] After managing the successful campaign for U.S. Senate candidate John Edwards in 1998,[14] he served as Edwards' deputy chief of staff from January 1999 to December 2000.[15] According to Edwards official Andrew Young, Elizabeth Edwards prevented her husband from naming Stein his chief of staff in the Senate because he withheld information from her, which was at John's direction.[16]

In 2001, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper appointed Stein as Senior Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection.[9] He held that position until his election to the state senate in 2008.[17][13] From 2012 until 2016, he served as Of Counsel at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, a regional law firm.

Stein defeated Republican John Alexander to represent the 16th district in the North Carolina Senate in 2008.[18] After being re-elected in 2010, he was elected minority whip by his colleagues.[19]

In the Senate, Stein worked to expand the state's DNA database, ban cyberstalking, extend and expand the state's renewable energy tax credit, and improve school safety.[20][21][22]

North Carolina Attorney General

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As Attorney General, Stein was recognized for his national bipartisan leadership in 2023 by the National Association of Attorneys General.[23]

As Attorney General, Stein has worked to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits, the largest in the nation.[24][25][26] This has led to new arrests in cases involving a 2015 assault and attempted murder in Durham, North Carolina;[27] assaults in 2009 and 2010 in Fayetteville;[28] and a 1993 assault in Winston-Salem.[29]

Stein in 2021

Stein led the bipartisan effort of state Attorneys General to negotiate a national settlement framework with drug companies–manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy chains–over the nation's opioid epidemic, totaling more than $50 billion.[30] North Carolina's share of the settlement was $1.5 billion.[31] Stein negotiated a memorandum of agreement with the state's counties that ensured the vast majority of the funds would go to prevention, harm reduction, treatment or recovery.[32] Johns Hopkins School of Public Health recognized this partnership as one of the best in the nation.[33]

In 2018, Stein filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court arguing in favor of the Affordable Care Act.[34] In 2019, Stein became the first attorney general in the country to sue e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for unlawful marketing to minors.[35] Stein won multiple settlements with JUUL totaling nearly $48 million that set a standard the rest of the nation is now following.[36][37]

Stein has filed briefs supporting medication abortions and opposing restrictions on women from traveling to receive healthcare.[38][39] Stein opposed the state's 12-week abortion ban enacted in 2023.[40]

Stein negotiated eight Anti-Robocall Principles with a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general and 12 companies to protect phone users from illegal robocalls.[41] He also launched Operation Silver Shield, an effort to protect older North Carolinians from fraud and scams.[citation needed]

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stein won a preliminary injunction against a Charlotte tow company sued for price-gouging,[42] and announced the investigation of nine North Carolina-based sellers on Amazon who are accused of raising prices on coronavirus-related products, including hand sanitizer and N-95 masks.[43] Stein has won more than $1 million in price-gouging cases.[44]

The Legislature voted to remove Stein as their legal representation before the courts on August 21, 2021, after he refused to appeal the findings of a lower court that a North Carolina state law that disenfranchised anyone convicted of a felony was unconstitutional. Stein cited he had been waiting for the ruling to be formally filed. Legislative leaders alleged Stein was "slow-walking" the case to allow felons to vote in the next election and used these claims to justify his immediate removal.[45][46][better source needed]

2024 gubernatorial campaign

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Main article: 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election

On January 18, 2023, Stein formally announced his candidacy for the office of governor of North Carolina in the 2024 election.[14] Stein has been endorsed by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper along with hundreds of other elected officials and organizations, including the Reverend Dr. Jay Augustine, former State Representative and Senior Pastor James Gailliard, County Commissioner Melvin 'Skip' Alston, Fayetteville City Councilman Mario Benavente, Rabbi Fred Gutman, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, and the North Carolina Association of Educators.[47][48]

During Super Tuesday, Stein advanced to the general election and to face Republican lieutenant governor Mark Robinson.[49] Following a CNN report on inflammatory comments Robinson had made, Stein emerged as the heavy favorite in the race. [50]

Personal life

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Stein is married to Anna Harris Stein and has three children; Sam, Adam, and Leah. Stein is Jewish. He and his family are members of Temple Beth Or, a Reform synagogue in Raleigh.[12] He is a former YMCA basketball and J.C.C. soccer coach.[11]

Electoral history

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North Carolina Senate
2008 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein 58,357 60.83
Republican John Alexander 37,586 39.17
Total votes 95,943 100.00
2010 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein (incumbent) 32,248 54.89
Republican Michael Beezley 24,466 41.64
Libertarian Stephanie Watson 2,040 3.47
Total votes 58,754 100.00
2012 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein (incumbent) 69,405 100.00
Total votes 69,405 100.00
2014 North Carolina Senate, 16th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein (incumbent) 42,422 67.11
Republican Jason Mitchell 20,791 32.89
Total votes 63,213 100.00
Attorney general
2016 North Carolina Attorney General primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein 510,003 53.37
Democratic Marcus Williams 445,524 46.63
Total votes 955,527 100.00
2016 North Carolina Attorney General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein 2,276,410 50.27
Republican Buck Newton 2,256,178 49.73
Total votes 4,532,588 100.00
2020 North Carolina Attorney General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Josh Stein (incumbent) 2,713,400 50.13 −0.14
Republican Jim O'Neill 2,699,778 49.87 +0.14
Total votes 5,413,178 100.00 N/A
Governor
2024 North Carolina gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Stein 476,448 69.64
Democratic Michael R. Morgan 97,908 14.31
Democratic Chrelle Booker 45,695 6.68
Democratic Marcus Williams 38,996 5.70
Democratic Gary Foxx 25,100 3.67
Total votes 684,147 100.00

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Josh Stein's Biography". Vote Smart.
  2. ^ Gannon, Patrick (November 29, 2013). "Josh Stein says he'll run for NC Attorney General in 2016". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "Jewish Firsts in North Carolina Politics". November 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "NC Attorney General Josh Stein wins reelection". newsobserver.com/. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "NC Attorney General Josh Stein to run for governor". Abc 11. January 18, 2023.
  6. ^ Edelman, Adam. "Republican Mark Robinson and Democrat Josh Stein will face off in North Carolina's governor race". NBC News. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Josh Stein (D-NC)". CQ Press. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "The fight goes on for Adam Stein". The Daily Tar Heel. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Anderson, Bryan (September 25, 2022). "How NC Attorney General Josh Stein is bracing for his next big political fight". WRAL. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Blythe, Anne (April 29, 2018). "Josh Stein, the product of a bluer North Carolina, is on the front lines fighting Trump". The News and Observer. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  11. ^ a b N.C. SENATE DISTRICT 16. The News and Observer. October 25, 2008.
  12. ^ a b "Meet Josh". Josh Stein for Attorney General. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Josh Stein". truth initiative: inspiring lives free from smoking, vaping & nicotine. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Schneider, Elena (January 18, 2023). "North Carolina AG Josh Stein launches bid for governor". Politico. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  15. ^ Helms takes aim at court. The News and Observer. December 2, 2000.
  16. ^ Young, Andrew (January 2010). The Politician. MacMillan Publishers. p. 72.
  17. ^ Sen. Josh Stein - a different seat at the table. The News and Observer. January 28, 2009.
  18. ^ Dalesio, Emery (November 5, 2008). Democrats likely to keep hold of state legislature. The Charlotte Observer.
  19. ^ "NC Senate Democrats choose leaders". The News & Observer. December 18, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  20. ^ Bonner, Lynn (July 9, 2010). "State Senate supports taking DNA upon arrest". News and Observer. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  21. ^ "Stein - North Carolina Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Studies - 2019 Winter School". North Carolina Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Studies - 2019 Winter School - Providing Excellence in Addiction Training since 1978. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  22. ^ "Josh Stein - Democratic Attorneys General Association". Democratic Attorneys General Association. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  23. ^ Schneider, Staci (December 6, 2023). "2023 Annual Award Recipients Announced for Exceptional Service to the Attorney General Community". National Association of Attorneys General. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  24. ^ DeWitt, Dave (January 29, 2019). "NC AG Stein Calls For More Funding To Test Backlogged Rape Kits". wunc.org. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  25. ^ Donovan, Chelsea (January 30, 2019). "Attorney General announces Survivor Act; $6 million to combat rape test kit backlog". wect.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  26. ^ DeGrave, Sam. "Attorney General announces $2M grant to begin clearing NC's 15,000 untested rape kits". Citizen Times. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "4 Year Old Sexual Assault Cold Case Solved". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  28. ^ "DNA Used to Charge Man in Series of Cold Case Rapes in Cumberland County". wfmynews2.com. May 7, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  29. ^ "Rape Kit Test Leads to Arrest of 71-Year-Old Man in 1993 Assault". wfmynews2.com. September 18, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  30. ^ WECT Staff (October 21, 2019). "N.C. among four states that reach $48B settlement framework with drug companies over opioid epidemic". wect.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "About the Opioid Settlements - North Carolina Opioid Settlements". North Carolina Opioid Settlements. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  32. ^ "MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON PROCEEDS RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID LITIGATION" (PDF). More Powerful NC. February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  33. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (June 28, 2023). "North Carolina Recognized for Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis and Save Lives - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  34. ^ Emert, Jennifer (December 18, 2018). "NC joins the legal fight over ACA; how the recent TX ruling could affect your benefits". WLOS. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  35. ^ WRAL (October 23, 2019). "North Carolina the first in the country to file lawsuits against e-cigarette companies". WRAL.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  36. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (June 28, 2021). "Attorney General Stein Reaches Agreement with JUUL for $40 Million and Drastic Business Changes - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  37. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (December 7, 2023). "Attorney General Josh Stein Announces Additional $7.8 Million from Agreement with Juul - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  38. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (February 6, 2024). "Attorney General Josh Stein Files Motion for Summary Judgment to Protect Medication Abortion in North Carolina - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (September 23, 2022). "Attorney General Josh Stein Protects Women's Reproductive Freedom - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  40. ^ "'Every legal option.' NC Attorney General vows to fight new abortion law". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. May 17, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  41. ^ "Attorney General Josh Stein leads 51 attorneys general, 12 companies in fight to stop robocalls". WNCT. August 22, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  42. ^ "AG wins preliminary injunction against Charlotte tow company sued for price-gouging". WSOC. May 27, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  43. ^ "Attorney General Josh Stein's office goes after N.C. based Amazon price gougers". WNCT. March 29, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  44. ^ Ahmed, Nazneen (November 10, 2021). "Attorney General Josh Stein Reaches $20,000 Settlement with Charlotte Area Gas Station Over Colonial Pipeline Price Gouging - NCDOJ". NCDOJ - Attorney General Josh Stein. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  45. ^ Woodhouse, Dallas (August 24, 2021). "Lawmakers fire AG Stein for refusing to appeal felon voting ruling". Carolina Journal. John Locke Foundation. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021.
  46. ^ https://files.constantcontact.com/b25a1294701/6a5e1a16-bf1d-457b-a460-a97dd12e6e48.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  47. ^ "Josh Stein For North Carolina Announces Slate Of More Than 100 New Endorsers". Josh Stein for NC. January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  48. ^ "NCAE Endorses Attorney General Josh Stein for Governor in 2024". North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  49. ^ Edelman, Adam (March 5, 2024). "Republican Mark Robinson and Democrat Josh Stein will face off in North Carolina's governor race". NBC News. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  50. ^ Kaczynski, Andrew (September 19, 2024). "'I'm a black NAZI!': NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum". CNN. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Josh Stein.
North Carolina Senate
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 16th district
2009–2016 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Attorney General of North Carolina
2016, 2020 		Succeeded by
Democratic nominee for Governor of North Carolina
2024 		Most recent
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of North Carolina
2017–present 		Incumbent
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