With candidate filing closed for state and local offices on the ballot in North Carolina, key matchups are set for the 2024 primaries. Unless state or federal courts intervene in one of the legal challenges to the legislature’s state legislative or Congressional district maps, we turn to primary election matchups.
Key state judicial and executive positions, as well as state legislative spots, are on the long list of offices at stake. Offices of special concern to environmental quality and justice advocates include the so-called ‘big three’ state executive posts: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. The NC League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) Conservation PAC may consider endorsements in these and other executive posts, as well as state legislative seats. In the meantime, we want to highlight one of the most important matchups when it comes to environmental protections.
The Race for the Governor’s Seat
First, the race for governor, in which we’ve made an early endorsement of incumbent state Attorney General Josh Stein. In this position, and his previous service in the legislature, he has proven himself an environmental champion.
“In the race for the next Governor of North Carolina, Attorney General Josh Stein is the candidate who has a long record of fighting for the people of our state to enjoy clean air and water, a clean energy future, and a healthy democracy. We know he will continue to work tirelessly to protect us, our quality of life and invest in a clean, renewable energy economy,” said Dan Crawford, NCLCV’s director of governmental relations.
As Attorney General, he represented the Department of Environmental Quality in their lawsuit against Chemours, which resulted in the company paying a record $12 million fine and removing pollutants from our air and water. Stein also opposed offshore drilling on North Carolina’s shores to protect not only our coastal ecosystems, but also jobs, tourism, and the economy.
Additionally, he worked with the Department of Environmental Quality to prosecute the hazardous disposal of coal ash into our surface water and groundwater at Duke Energy’s coal ash facilities. Finally, he submitted an alternative carbon plan to the NC Utilities Commission and continues to advocate for increased use of clean, renewable energy and battery storage to meet North Carolina’s future energy and climate needs.
Defense of Democracy
“In addition to his aggressive environmental leadership, Attorney General Stein has taken a strong stand for democracy and our right to fairly elect our representatives,” said Carrie Clark, our executive director. “He is a champion for the citizens of our state and an unyielding opponent of special interests. As governor, we know he will lead North Carolina to a better future.”
Attorney General Stein represented North Carolina at the Supreme Court of the United States last year in Moore v. Harper. This case is an appeal of Harper v. Hall, a landmark state court case in which the North Carolina Supreme Court determined that the congressional map enacted by Republicans in the state legislature was an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander. As a result of that ruling, a state court ultimately adopted a fair congressional map. We served as a plaintiff in Harper v. Hall and supported the decision of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Later, the court’s new Republican majority overturned this decision; an action we strongly opposed.
As a state senator, Stein was recognized with NCLCV’s Green Tie Award as a Rising Star in 2010 and Senator of Year in 2016.
