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A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 1:03 GMT by Toronto Star
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A Democrat Governor, a Republican Legislature – How Josh Stein Is Navigating North Carolina Politics

When the 2024 election cycle opened, many observers expected a rocky start for North Carolina’s new governor, Josh Stein. A Democrat in a state that has leaned Republican for nearly two decades, Stein’s first months in office have been defined by the fact that the state’s General Assembly remains firmly in GOP hands. Yet rather than succumb to the familiar “barricade” dynamic that has long characterized the state’s politics, Stein has charted a course that mixes pragmatic compromise with a clear vision for the future.

A Short‑Term Road Map in a Long‑Term Battle

Stein’s campaign focused on four main pillars—education, healthcare, economic growth, and voting rights. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the need for a “bipartisan platform” and pledged to “build bridges” across the aisle. His first executive order, issued in January, extended Medicaid coverage for adults with mental illness—a move that surprised some of the more conservative lawmakers who had expected him to tighten the program.

In the days that followed, Stein’s staff began reaching out to leaders in both chambers of the legislature. He scheduled meetings with Senate President Tim Moore and House Speaker Larry Hall, the two most powerful figures in the Republican‑controlled House. The Governor’s team also forged an informal “policy roundtable” with moderate Democrats in the Senate, such as Senator David G. McCulloch, who had previously clashed with the GOP on redistricting.

Education: The First Negotiated Victory

Education is perhaps the most visible arena in which Stein has sought to test the limits of bipartisanship. Early in his term, the legislature introduced a comprehensive “School Choice Expansion” bill that would have privatized a large portion of public school funding. Stein opposed the measure outright, arguing that it would undermine public education. In a surprise move, the Governor offered a compromise: a limited expansion of charter schools coupled with a new state grant program to support high‑need public schools.

The Senate passed the compromise in late March, while the House initially stalled. After a week of intense negotiation, the Governor’s team brokered a deal that included a modest increase in the state’s education budget—$2.5 billion—over the next two years. The deal was hailed as a “win‑win” by some Republicans and was praised by education advocates as a “necessary investment” for the state’s future.

Voting Rights: A Tenuous Balance

The 2024 election also highlighted the fraught issue of voting rights in North Carolina. The Republican majority had already passed a “voter ID” law in 2021, a measure that critics claimed disproportionately affected minority voters. The Governor, a staunch supporter of expanded access to the ballot, threatened to veto any further restrictive legislation. He also announced a new executive order aimed at increasing early voting days and simplifying the registration process.

A key link in the article points to the North Carolina State Board of Elections website, which detailed the new early voting regulations and their expected impact. The legislation was eventually defeated in the House, but the Governor’s strong stance has positioned him as a champion for voting rights among Democrats.

Redistricting: A “Fair Play” Proposal

Redistricting has long been a sore point in North Carolina politics. The GOP-controlled legislature had already begun the process for the 2024 cycle, with the Senate drafting a new district map that critics argued was gerrymandered. The article cites a linked Senate Bill that outlined the proposed map and its legal justifications.

Stein’s response was a “fair play” proposal: a bipartisan commission that would include an equal number of Democrats, Republicans, and independents to draw new boundaries. While the commission was never formally created, the Governor’s public push for a more equitable approach forced the GOP to revisit the map’s margins, leading to a few minor adjustments.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

The article also references several local news pieces—particularly an investigative report from the Charlotte Observer that scrutinized the Governor’s executive order on Medicaid expansion. The Governor’s office countered the report by releasing data that showed a 12% increase in Medicaid enrollment over the past year, arguing that the expansion had a measurable positive impact on the state’s economy.

Social media reactions to the Governor’s bipartisan approach have been mixed. A segment of his Democratic base has criticized him for being “too soft,” while many Republicans have called him “an open-minded leader.” Yet the Governor’s strategic compromises have garnered bipartisan praise, including a commendation from the North Carolina Teachers’ Association for his work on education funding.

Looking Forward

With the General Assembly still in session, Governor Stein faces a litany of challenges: balancing the state’s budget, pushing forward a controversial COVID‑19 relief package, and confronting a Republican push for stricter gun laws. He has signaled that his top priority is “making the most progress possible while maintaining good relations with our legislators.” The Governor’s approach—mixing tough stances on core Democratic priorities with strategic concessions—has earned him both admiration and criticism.

In a state where political identity often feels binary, Stein’s navigation of North Carolina politics offers a compelling case study in compromise. Whether his approach will yield long‑term policy gains or merely provide temporary respite remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Governor’s first year will be measured not only by the bills he signs but by the bridges he builds.