Updated as of 7:07 p.m. on March 14 to include video.
On the heels of winning the Democratic gubernatorial nomination on March 5, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein spoke at Persnickety Books in Burlington on March 14 as part of a “Real Time with Stein” campaign event. This marked Stein’s first campaign visit to Alamance County since winning the primary election.
Burlington’s Persnickety Books is no stranger to political events. In 2021, the store hosted an election night watch party for former-Burlington Mayor and Elon University alumnus Ian Baltutis.
Baltutis introduced Stein at the event, which had roughly 50 people in attendance.
“He fought for us as a state senator, he fought for us as our Attorney General and he will continue to fight for us as our next governor. But there's another fight, Mark Robinson also wants to be governor. … We need to make sure that Josh wins this November,” Baltutis said. “It's going to take all of us to help him get there. So let's show him how much Burlington and Alamance County are ready to get to work.”
Stein is running against Republican gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to become the 76th Governor of North Carolina, and to succeed term-limited Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper. Both Stein and Robinson would make history if elected – Stein would be the first Jewish governor and Robinson would become the first African American governor.
In his speech, Stein spoke about his desire to fight against state Republicans, who in his opinion have hurt the state.
“North Carolina is our home and what we pray for is that our kids and grandkids and your kids and grandkids also want to call North Carolina home – my friends, our home is under assault,” Stein said. “Right-wing politicians are taking a sledgehammer to its foundation, they damaged our democracy and cling to power.”
Elon Town Council member Stephanie Bourland said she believes that Stein cares for average North Carolinians and is fearful about a potential North Carolina governed by Mark Robinson.
“The fact that he cares about education, the economy – things that are important to our families here in North Carolina makes a huge difference,” Bourland said. “Right now, Mark Robinson is scary to me. … As a mother, as a woman, as a local leader – I don't like his policies, I am scared by his rhetoric and he's not good for North Carolina.”
According to a SurveyUSA News poll released on March 12 and sponsored by WRAL-TV, both Stein and Robinson have a favorability rating of 37% among likely voters. Stein also has an unfavorability rating of 18%, while Robinson has an unfavorability rating of 28%.
“I'm running for governor because I believe in the promise of North Carolina that if you work hard, where you come from should never limit how far you can go,” Stein said.