Josh Stein in 2024 NC Governor's race

On Jobs: Raise the minimum wage

Minimum Wage: Raise North Carolina minimum from $7.25/hour? Mark Robinson (R): No position found.

On Abortion: I'm in court fighting for women's reproductive freedom

"Medication abortion is safe and effective, and has been for decades," said Stein. "The medication is safer than Tylenol or Viagra. This judge's decision is wrong on every level, and it takes away safe medical care for women, putting their health at risk. I'm in court fighting for women's reproductive freedom so women in North Carolina can make decisions about their own bodies."

On Education: Every NC student has the right to a sound, basic education

On Principles & Values: Father worked at state's first integrated law firm

On Civil Rights: No one should have to live in fear because of who they are

On Drugs: Time to have real conversations about potential legalization

On Government Reform: 2020: allowed more time for mail-in ballot acceptance

On Gun Control: For "red flag" laws; raising age to 21 to buy AR-15 rifle

On Principles & Values: Jewish faith guides him to make the world a better place

On Drugs: Tackle the opioid crisis: billions from manufacturers

[Wilmington StarNews candidate profile]:
• Hometown: Raleigh
• Current profession: NC attorney general currently serving in his second term.
• Previous experience: Stein served in the NC Senate for District 16 and as the senior deputy attorney general in the NC Department of Justice.
• Notable endorsements: Gov. Roy Cooper, Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic and the People's Alliance PAC
• Accomplishments: As attorney general, Stein stopped the rape kit backlog in North Carolina, collected billions from the pharmaceutical industry for their part in the opioid crisis, sued Juul, an electronic cigarette company, for targeting youth in their marketing and held companies financially accountable for pollution and pollution clean-up.
• Key issues: Stein's campaign focuses heavily on making North Carolina safer through supporting the police and working to tackle the opioid crisis. He hopes to protect fundamental freedoms like the right to vote and the right to abortion.

On Tax Reform: $520 tax cut for every average working family

Stein's office estimates the average working family could receive more than $520 if the proposed plan is put in place, and families with three or more children could see as much as $1,486 back in their pockets from the tax credit.

"It's all about putting more money into the pockets of working people, raising children out of poverty and stimulating local economies," Stein said.

On Welfare & Poverty: Make affordable single-family home ownership a reality

Josh Stein is also talking about affordable housing. A campaign spokesperson highlighted his work as attorney general to crack down on businesses that prey on homeowners: "From his first job out of law school with the Self Help Credit Union working to make affordable single-family home ownership a reality for working families to taking on predatory mortgage lenders as Attorney General, Josh has a record of addressing folks' housing challenges. As governor, he will work to expand the full range of housing options across the state, so that a home is a source of stability, not stress. That means using incentives from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to increase workforce homeownership, expanding the supply of affordable rental housing, and reducing homelessness."

On Drugs: Rated A by NORML; legalize marijuana & expunge convictions

NORML Politician Info: rated A
Josh Stein (D) summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE / DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
• 6/24/2024 Charlotte Observer: Medical marijuana passes NC Senate, heads to the House. Will this time be different?
• Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein said the bill lacks protections and should go further in decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana and expunging past convictions. "It's past time for N.C. to move forward on medical cannabis, decriminalization of simple possession, and expungement of criminal records, but we have to do it right. HB 563 fails to adequately protect kids," Stein wrote in a statement shared last week.

On Drugs: Sue opioid companies; sue vaping companies

As Attorney General, I have worked to:
• Protect vulnerable North Carolinians from fraudsters and scammers.
• Tackle the largest backlog of untested rape kits in the country, bringing justice to victims.
• Lead the national effort by state Attorneys General to hold accountable the big drug companies that created and fueled the opioid crisis, securing more than $55 billion in settlement funds-- $1.5 billion of which will fund much-needed treatment and recovery services for North Carolinians.
• Hold e-cigarette manufacturer Juul accountable for sparking a teen vaping epidemic-- setting a standard the rest of the nation followed.
• Defend women's reproductive freedoms and people's right to vote and to vote in fair districts.

On Tax Reform: Cut taxes for working families

On Abortion: Defend women's rights to contraception, IVF or abortion

Abortion : Ban or legal?
• Mark Robinson (R): Ban. In 2020 advocated for a complete ban, no exceptions. "I want North Carolina to be the most pro-life state in the nation.... Abortion is murder."
• Josh Stein (D): Legal. Would "defend women's rights" to "contraception, IVF or abortion." Would "never stop fighting" for "women's reproductive freedom." Called "many" parts of NC's new abortion law "unconstitutional."

On Civil Rights: Treat children fairly; unfairness based on race reverberates

Q: Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?
• Mark Robinson (R): Yes. Supported a bill limiting what students can be taught about racism; "Indoctrination" about racism is "in our classrooms."
• Josh Stein (D): No. "Unfair" treatment based on "race, sexual orientation" harms students "in ways that reverberate long after they leave school." Urges the "federal government...to make sure our young people are treated fairly."

On Crime: Make justice system fair, no matter the person's race

Criminal Justice : How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?
• Mark Robinson (R): Would support "our law enforcement officers" and "have their back." "Elected officials are not backing up police officers." Is "committed to ensuring they are trained, equipped, and held to the highest professional standard."
• Josh Stein (D): Will "build genuine trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve." Will "recruit and retain more public-spirited officers." System should treat every North Carolinian "fairly, no matter their race or economic status."

On Education: Voucher programs suck money out of the public schools

Education : Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?
• Mark Robinson (R): Yes. Expand voucher programs so that public schools might become "a thing of the past." If schools "won't do right," parents should remove their children and "make your own school." Public school teachers are "wicked people."
• Josh Stein (D): No. A publicly funded voucher program "sucks money out of the public schools," putting rural counties without a large tax base "behind the eight ball." "We need every marginal dollar we can find in the budget to invest in our public schools."

On Education: Student loan forgiveness in exchange for serving the public

Student Financial Aid: Support lower interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?
• Mark Robinson (R): No. "A simple proposition with student loans: if you took out a loan, pay it back. I'll pay your student loan if you pay my mortgage."
• Josh Stein (D): Yes. Supports student loan forgiveness in exchange for "at least a decade of serving the public." Secured loan forgiveness for students defrauded by schools and "deceptive" loan companies.

On Families & Children: Protections for gender identity or sexual orientation

LGBT Rights : Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?
• Mark Robinson (R): Limit. "Homosexuality" is "filth." Straight couples are "superior" to gay couples. "God formed me" to fight against the push for LGBTQ rights.
• Josh Stein (D): Expand. Opposed Trump attempt to eliminate protections for "gender identity or sexual orientation" in federal grant regulations. Fought "attacks against LGBTQ+ North Carolinians."

On Government Reform: Voting Rights Act protects against racial discrimination

Voting Rules : Make voting harder or easier?
• Mark Robinson (R): Harder. Opposes early voting; there should be "one day to vote," except for invalids. Supports Voter ID.
• Josh Stein (D): Easier. Joined other attorneys general to defend provisions of the Voting Rights Act that protect "against racial discrimination in elections." Supports an independent redistricting commission to end gerrymandering in North Carolina.

On Foreign Policy: Supports a two-state solution for Israel/Palestine

On Homeland Security: Fought to protect veterans' benefits, ensure health care