Josh Stein facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Josh Stein
76th Governor of North Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2025
Lieutenant	Rachel Hunt
Preceded by	Roy Cooper
51st Attorney General of North Carolina
In office January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2025
Governor	Roy Cooper
Preceded by	Roy Cooper
Succeeded by	Jeff Jackson
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 16th district
In office January 1, 2009 – March 21, 2016
Preceded by	Janet Cowell
Succeeded by	Jay Chaudhuri
Personal details
Born	Joshua Harold Stein (1966-09-13) September 13, 1966 (age 58) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Anna Harris
Children	3
Residences	Executive Mansion (primary) Western Residence (secondary)
Education	Dartmouth College (BA) Harvard University (MPP, JD)

Joshua Harold Stein (born September 13, 1966) is an American lawyer and politician. He became the 76th governor of North Carolina in 2025. Before this, he served as the 51st Attorney General of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. He was also a member of the North Carolina Senate from 2009 to 2016.

Josh Stein was born in Washington, D.C. His family moved to North Carolina when he was young. He went to Dartmouth College and later earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. In 2008, he was elected to represent North Carolina's 16th Senate district.

He left the State Senate after winning the election for Attorney General in 2016. He won that election by a very small margin. He was reelected as Attorney General in 2020, also by a close vote.

Instead of running for Attorney General again, Stein decided to run for governor in 2024. He won the Democratic nomination and then defeated his Republican opponent, Mark Robinson, in the general election.

Early Life and Education

Josh Stein was born on September 13, 1966, in Washington, D.C. His parents are Jane and Adam Stein. His family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then settled in Chapel Hill. His father helped start North Carolina's first law firm that welcomed people of all backgrounds.

Stein attended Chapel Hill High School. He was part of the school's soccer team that won a state championship. After high school, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Dartmouth College in 1988.

After college, he spent time teaching English and economics in Zimbabwe. Later, he earned degrees from Harvard Law School and the Kennedy School of Government.

Early Career in Public Service

Stein during his time as a state senator, 2013

In the 1990s, Josh Stein worked as an intern for State Representative Dan Blue. After finishing law school, he worked for organizations like the Self-Help Credit Union. These groups help people and communities.

He also managed John Edwards's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1998. After the campaign, he worked as Edwards's deputy chief of staff from 1999 to 2000.

In 2001, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper appointed Stein to a new role. He became the Senior Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection. In this job, he worked to protect people from scams and unfair business practices. He held this position until he was elected to the State Senate in 2008.

From 2012 to 2016, he also worked as a lawyer at a regional law firm.

Serving in the North Carolina Senate

In 2008, Josh Stein won the election to represent the 16th district in the North Carolina Senate. He defeated Republican John Alexander. He was reelected in 2010. After that, his fellow senators chose him to be the minority whip. This is an important leadership role.

While in the Senate, Stein worked on several important issues. He helped expand the state's DNA database, which helps solve crimes. He also worked to ban cyberstalking, which is a type of online harassment. He supported extending tax credits for renewable energy. He also focused on improving safety in schools across the state.

North Carolina Attorney General

Stein speaking at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, 2016

In 2016, Josh Stein made history. He became the first Jewish person to win a statewide election in North Carolina.

As Attorney General, he took on big challenges. In 2018, he supported the Affordable Care Act in a case before the United States Supreme Court. In 2019, he was the first attorney general in the country to sue the e-cigarette company Juul. He accused Juul of illegally marketing its products to young people. Stein won several agreements with Juul, totaling nearly $48 million. This set an example for other states to follow.

Stein speaking at a Department of Motor Vehicles event, 2021

Stein also worked to protect people from unwanted calls. He helped create "Anti-Robocall Principles" with other attorneys general and phone companies. He also started "Operation Silver Shield." This program helps protect older North Carolinians from fraud and scams.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Stein took action against price-gouging. He won a court order against a tow company that was charging too much. He also investigated sellers on Amazon who were raising prices on items like hand sanitizer and N95 masks. Stein won over $1 million in cases related to price-gouging.

In 2021, there was a disagreement with the state legislature. Stein refused to appeal a court ruling about a law that prevented people with felony convictions from voting. The legislature then voted to remove him as their legal representative. Stein stated he was waiting for the ruling to be officially filed.

Governor of North Carolina

Election to Governor

Map showing the results of the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election.

On January 18, 2023, Josh Stein announced he would run for governor of North Carolina. He was supported by Governor Roy Cooper and many other leaders.

On Super Tuesday, Stein won the Democratic nomination. He then faced Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson in the general election.

Stein won the election by a significant margin of 14.8%. This was a much larger win than his previous statewide elections. He had won by very small margins in 2016 and 2020. His victory happened even though Republican Donald Trump won North Carolina in the presidential election that same year.

Beginning His Term as Governor

Governor Stein (center) with his newly sworn-in cabinet members, 2025

On January 1, 2025, Josh Stein was sworn in as the 76th governor of North Carolina. He became the first Jewish governor in the state's history.

Public Opinion and Approval

Personal Life and Family

Josh Stein is married to Anna Harris Stein. They have three children together. The Stein family are members of Temple Beth Or, which is a Reform synagogue in Raleigh. In his free time, he has coached basketball for the YMCA and soccer for the J.C.C..

See also

In Spanish: Josh Stein para niños