Josh Stein

Democrat. Trump won North Carolina in 2024. On the November 7, 2028 ballot.

Age on Election Day 2028: 62; Born September 13, 1966.
Lean: R+1; Statewide, 2025 Cook PVI.
Governor since: 2025; Took office January 1, 2025.
Approval: 55%; 27% disapprove. Morning Consult, April 1 to June 30, 2026.

The 2028 race

Cash on hand: $5,853,363

Cash: North Carolina State Board of Elections, report of Josh Stein for North Carolina. Reporting period ended June 30, 2026.

Term limit: 1 more term
Could serve to: January 1, 2033

2028 plansNo public statement on record.

Earlier offices

North Carolina attorney general, 2017 to 2025; North Carolina Senate, 2009 to 2016.

Lieutenant governor: Rachel Hunt (D)

Scorecards

Cato Institute fiscal report card, 2024 edition, before this governor took office (opens in a new tab): No score published

General-election outcomes

2024 vote share: 54.90%
Victory margin: +14.81 pts
Harris, 2024: 47.65% · −3.21 pts

Margin 18.02 points above Harris. Vote share 7.25 points above.

Statewide. Valid votes; margin over the runner-up. Runner-up: Mark Robinson. Returns · Harris baseline · Method. Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Endorsements

2028 race so far

None on record: Democratic Governors Association, Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Democratic Socialists of America.

2024 race

Endorsed: Democratic Governors Association.

None on record: Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Democratic Socialists of America.