The political landscape in North Carolina is heating up as the state prepares for a closely contested gubernatorial race. The Democratic Party has selected the pragmatic and moderate Attorney General Josh Stein as their candidate. He will be facing off against the Republican nominee, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, known for his right-wing ideologies and fiery rhetoric.
Stein and Robinson are both aiming to succeed the term-limited Governor Roy Cooper. This race is crucial for the Democrats as they strive to maintain their influence in the Southern political sphere and potentially turn the state blue in the upcoming presidential election.
Despite former President Donald Trump’s victories in North Carolina in 2016 and 2020, the margin was slim, with President Biden trailing by just over one percentage point. However, the Republican Party’s unanimous decision to override Cooper’s veto of a 12-week abortion ban could potentially lead to a backlash in the November elections.
Robinson, a staunch supporter of gun rights and abortion bans, has been compared to Trump due to his controversial statements on social issues. His comments on “transgenderism” and “homosexuality” in June 2021 led to calls for his resignation from Democrats, but Robinson stood firm, defending his choice of words.
Stein, on the other hand, has a long-standing political lineage in the state. His father, Adam Stein, is a renowned civil rights attorney who co-founded North Carolina’s first integrated law firm. The overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, which paved the way for the state’s abortion ban, is expected to be a key issue in the race.
While Robinson has expressed support for even stricter measures, Stein has warned of the potential consequences of unchecked Republican control. “Reproductive freedom is on the line in North Carolina as far-right politicians seek total control over women’s rights to make decisions about their bodies, families, and futures,” Stein stated last year.
Despite the political similarities between Robinson and Trump, the former President officially endorsed Robinson only days before the election. Meanwhile, Biden and the national Democrats have largely kept their distance from North Carolina, possibly due to Biden’s uncertain standing in the state. Regardless, both the presidential and gubernatorial races are expected to be fiercely contested.