In college, Stein studied history and later pursued a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School while also attending law school. However, he believes that Democrats should not approach their post-2024 plans with the same academic mindset. “I don’t have a specific ideology to fit this into,” Stein stated. “It’s more about working towards improving people’s lives and addressing issues that matter to them. Voters will respond positively to these efforts.”
Many observers attribute Stein’s success to luck, particularly in facing a formidable opponent, Robinson, who had a history of controversial statements. The fallout from Robinson’s scandal was severe, with national Republicans withdrawing support and Trump distancing himself. Despite concerns that support for Robinson could resurface, Stein’s team remained vigilant, noting the significant financial backing Robinson received from the Republican Governors Association.
Stein and his team emphasize that the campaign’s success was not solely due to Robinson’s missteps but also highlighted their focus on key issues such as clearing the state’s rape kit backlog and prosecuting fentanyl crimes. They were able to leverage Robinson’s own statements against him in a campaign ad, without resorting to typical negative tactics.
Overall, Stein’s campaign strategy centered on his record of public service and law enforcement endorsements, which helped counter Republican attacks and resonate with voters.
In order to assist victims of sexual assault, they strategically anticipated the criticisms that Stein was weak on crime and immigration. Instead, they emphasized his bipartisan efforts to work with Republicans, showcasing his competence and commitment to making real-world impact. They aimed to portray Stein as a different kind of Democrat, one who could effectively get things done and be visualized through numbers and success stories.
Certain ideas were discarded if they did not align with this narrative, such as an attack on Robinson for wanting to reject federal funds that would cut education funding, contrasting with Stein’s plan to raise teacher salaries. Education was deemed a less pressing issue for voters feeling overwhelmed and distressed in 2024.
Stein acknowledged the state’s advocacy groups’ understanding of the challenges they faced and the importance of political power in a state where Democrats have had success in gubernatorial races but struggled in presidential contests. While these groups may prefer a Democrat who aligns with their scores, they also recognize the necessity of winning elections.
In western North Carolina, the aftermath of Helene’s devastation was still visible, with businesses suffering significant revenue losses. Stein walked through affected areas, listening to concerns and witnessing efforts to recover from the storm’s impact. Despite the challenges, Stein remained focused on recovery efforts, with plans to travel to Washington and beyond to advocate for assistance and attract investments to the state.
North Carolina. The additional seat he helped Democrats secure in the statehouse means that he won’t have to contend with the same worries as Governor Cooper regarding the Republican supermajority overriding and disregarding him. In response to the election results, the Republicans used their last supermajority vote to curtail the powers of a governor they did not endorse.
Stein, having started his political career in the state Senate and serving in government for a decade, expressed little surprise at this turn of events. Despite facing similar attempts by Republicans to diminish his authority as attorney general eight years ago, Stein emphasized that he collaborated with them on passing legislation addressing issues such as the opioid crisis and child sex abuse. He is preparing to take legal action against the Republicans for violating the state constitution with their recent actions, yet remains optimistic about finding common ground with them. “You have to be able to compartmentalize,” Stein remarked.
Turning to the topic of President Trump, Stein disclosed that he has not yet communicated with the president-elect or JD Vance. However, he expressed satisfaction at Vice President-elect’s visit to the state earlier in the month. Stein was already aware that obtaining approval for significant disaster relief funding from figures like Elon Musk and Trump would be a challenging task, even before the recent setback in the initial spending bill. He understood that persuading them to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars for aid would be more difficult than convincing Trump to survey the damage during the campaign.
The political landscape may complicate matters further, particularly with a US Senate seat up for grabs in 2026 that Stein openly supports Governor Cooper running for. While other Democratic governors are actively preparing to navigate the challenges posed by the Trump administration, Stein has not yet incorporated this into his own transition planning. However, he anticipates that this approach may not be sustainable in the long run.
