2024 North Carolina Governor Voters Guide

Mark Robinson (R) vs Josh Stein (D)

Governor | Election | Nov 5, 2024

The Candidates

Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson

Republican

Josh Stein

Josh Stein

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Mark Robinson (R)

Ban. In 2020 advocated for a complete ban, no exceptions. In 2024 supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. “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.”

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Climate

Should climate change be a top priority?

Mark Robinson (R)

No. Climate change is “junk science.” Educators who teach climate science are “liars.” Will “keep the climate change cabal out of this state.” “We have now allowed those folks to dictate what we do based on pseudoscience.”

Josh Stein (D)

Yes. Sees a “climate emergency.” “We need to take swift action to protect our planet.” Will “work to prepare our state for the impacts of climate change.” Supported incentives for rooftop solar and would work to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in North Carolina.

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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.”

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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.”

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.” Children should not be told about “transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth.”

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.”

Increase funding for K–12 and higher education?

Mark Robinson (R)

No. “Cutting the fat” out of the education budget is “essential.” “School systems get better results on less money.

Josh Stein (D)

Yes. North Carolina is 49th out of the 50 states in “public school funding as a share of our state’s economy.” Will “fight to fully fund our public schools and pay our educators more.”

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Elections

Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?

Mark Robinson (R)

No. On January 6, people were “so mad” because Biden “stole the election.”

Josh Stein (D)

Yes. The claim that Biden stole the election is “downright dangerous.” “Three years ago today, a violent mob attacked…the peaceful transfer of power and democracy itself.”

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Mark Robinson (R)

Loosen. Wants “responsible development of fossil fuels.” “God is the one who has blessed us to have all this fuel under our feet. And not taking advantage of it . . . is an affront to him.”

Josh Stein (D)

Tighten. “Environmental protections” are “important safeguards for North Carolina’s natural resources.” “Fought to preserve” them and will “continue to push for clean air and clean water.”

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Mark Robinson (R)

Loosen. More stringent gun regulations will “leave the law-abiding, patriotic citizens of this nation unarmed, and defenseless.” Saw Parkland, Florida shooting survivors who advocate for gun control as “spoiled,…know it all CHILDREN” and “communists.”

Josh Stein (D)

Tighten. Supports universal background checks, raising the age to buy an AR-15 rifle from 18 to 21, and red flag laws that allow courts to remove guns from people who pose a threat. North Carolina’s self-defense law is “too loose.”

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare? Support Medicaid expansion?

Mark Robinson (R)

Decrease. “I’m not in favor of Medicaid expansion,” where health care in NC would be “turned over to the federal government.” Would “repeal” Obamacare. “Healthcare is neither a ‘right’ or a ‘privilege,’ it’s a RESPONSIBILITY that lies with the individual.”

Josh Stein (D)

Increase. “Every North Carolinian should be able to get good health care, no matter where you live or how much money you earn.” Worked to “expand Medicaid” and “defend Obamacare.”

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Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Mark Robinson (R)

Applauds TX Governor Abbott’s “efforts to secure our border.” Would “crack down on sanctuary cities.” “Illegal immigrants… come into middle-class and lower-class neighborhoods”…to “commit  human trafficking violations, and sell drugs.”

Josh Stein (D)

“I supported the recent, bipartisan border security legislation — the strongest in a generation.” Joined other state attorneys general in a federal court challenge to the Trump decision to end DACA, for those brought to the U.S illegally as children. Opposed the Trump Muslim immigration ban.

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Mark Robinson (R)

Limit. “Homosexuality” is “filth.” Transgender women should be arrested for using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. 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.”

Click To Share Stance

Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Mark Robinson (R)

Ban. “Strongly” opposes marijuana legalization. Struggles with the idea of medical marijuana.

Josh Stein (D)

Mostly legal. Would decriminalize simple possession, expunge criminal records. “I’m very much open to studying the idea of legal recreational cannabis.”

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Minimum Wage

Raise North Carolina minimum from $7.25/hour?

Mark Robinson (R)

No position found.

Josh Stein (D)

Yes. “I’ll keep working to deliver… economic security” by “raising the minimum wage.”

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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.

Click To Share Stance

Taxes

How to handle state taxation?

Mark Robinson (R)

Cutting taxes and reducing government spending have made us the best state in the country to do business.”

Josh Stein (D)

Proposes a “Working Families Tax Cut,” that would reinstate the state Earned Income Tax Credit to give financial relief to those making up to around $50,000 per year. “Working people need more money in their pockets.”

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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. Any opposition to Voter ID is “a complete insult to any intelligent adult,” and “particularly…black people.”

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.

Click To Share Stance

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We have space for candidates polling 15% or more. Check out others including Mike Ross (L) and Wayne Turner (G). Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

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Mark Robinson

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Josh Stein

democratic Party

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Mark Robinson

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Josh Stein

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See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://www.markrobinsonfornc.com/ https://www.joshstein.org/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Ban. In 2020 advocated for a complete ban, no exceptions. In 2024 supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. “I want North Carolina to be the most pro-life state in the nation…. Abortion is murder.”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.”
Climate

Should climate change be a top priority?

No. Climate change is “junk science.” Educators who teach climate science are “liars.” Will “keep the climate change cabal out of this state.” “We have now allowed those folks to dictate what we do based on pseudoscience.”Yes. Sees a “climate emergency.” “We need to take swift action to protect our planet.” Will “work to prepare our state for the impacts of climate change.” Supported incentives for rooftop solar and would work to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in North Carolina.
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

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.”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.”
Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

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.”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.”
Elections

Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?

No. On January 6, people were “so mad” because Biden “stole the election.”Yes. The claim that Biden stole the election is “downright dangerous.” “Three years ago today, a violent mob attacked…the peaceful transfer of power and democracy itself.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Loosen. Wants “responsible development of fossil fuels.” “God is the one who has blessed us to have all this fuel under our feet. And not taking advantage of it . . . is an affront to him.”Tighten. “Environmental protections” are “important safeguards for North Carolina’s natural resources.” “Fought to preserve” them and will “continue to push for clean air and clean water.”
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Loosen. More stringent gun regulations will “leave the law-abiding, patriotic citizens of this nation unarmed, and defenseless.” Saw Parkland, Florida shooting survivors who advocate for gun control as “spoiled,…know it all CHILDREN” and “communists.”Tighten. Supports universal background checks, raising the age to buy an AR-15 rifle from 18 to 21, and red flag laws that allow courts to remove guns from people who pose a threat. North Carolina’s self-defense law is “too loose.”
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare? Support Medicaid expansion?

Decrease. “I’m not in favor of Medicaid expansion,” where health care in NC would be “turned over to the federal government.” Would “repeal” Obamacare. “Healthcare is neither a ‘right’ or a ‘privilege,’ it’s a RESPONSIBILITY that lies with the individual.”Increase. “Every North Carolinian should be able to get good health care, no matter where you live or how much money you earn.” Worked to “expand Medicaid” and “defend Obamacare.”
Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Applauds TX Governor Abbott’s “efforts to secure our border.” Would “crack down on sanctuary cities.” “Illegal immigrants… come into middle-class and lower-class neighborhoods”…to “commit  human trafficking violations, and sell drugs.”“I supported the recent, bipartisan border security legislation — the strongest in a generation.” Joined other state attorneys general in a federal court challenge to the Trump decision to end DACA, for those brought to the U.S illegally as children. Opposed the Trump Muslim immigration ban.
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Limit. “Homosexuality” is “filth.” Transgender women should be arrested for using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. Straight couples are “superior” to gay couples. “God formed me” to fight against the push for LGBTQ rights.Expand. Opposed Trump attempt to eliminate protections for “gender identity or sexual orientation” in federal grant regulations. Fought “attacks against LGBTQ+ North Carolinians.”
Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Ban. “Strongly” opposes marijuana legalization. Struggles with the idea of medical marijuana.Mostly legal. Would decriminalize simple possession, expunge criminal records. “I’m very much open to studying the idea of legal recreational cannabis.”
Minimum Wage

Raise North Carolina minimum from $7.25/hour?

No position found.Yes. “I’ll keep working to deliver… economic security” by “raising the minimum wage.”
Student Financial Aid

Support lower interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

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.”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.
Taxes

How to handle state taxation?

Cutting taxes and reducing government spending have made us the best state in the country to do business.”Proposes a “Working Families Tax Cut,” that would reinstate the state Earned Income Tax Credit to give financial relief to those making up to around $50,000 per year. “Working people need more money in their pockets.”
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Harder. Opposes early voting; there should be “one day to vote,” except for invalids. Supports Voter ID. Any opposition to Voter ID is “a complete insult to any intelligent adult,” and “particularly…black people.”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.

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