Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Josh Stein

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 11, 2025

How Josh Stein built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joshua Harold Stein is an American politician and lawyer. He has served as the 76th governor of North Carolina since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Stein previously served as the 51st Attorney General of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. Prior to his role as Attorney General, he was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 2009 to 2016.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1993: Arrest in Winston-Salem Assault Case

The work to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits led to arrests in cases involving a 1993 assault in Winston-Salem.

1998: Managed John Edwards's U.S. Senate campaign

In 1998, Stein managed John Edwards's U.S. Senate campaign.

January 1999: Deputy Chief of Staff for John Edwards

From January 1999, Stein served as John Edwards's deputy chief of staff.

December 2000: End of Deputy Chief of Staff Role

In December 2000, Stein's role as Edwards's deputy chief of staff concluded.

2001: Appointed Senior Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection

In 2001, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper appointed Stein as Senior Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection.

2008: Elected to the North Carolina Senate

In 2008, Stein defeated Republican John Alexander to represent the 16th district in the North Carolina Senate.

2008: Elected to Represent North Carolina's 16th Senate District

In 2008, Stein was elected to represent North Carolina's 16th Senate district.

2009: Elected to North Carolina Senate

In 2009, Stein was elected to the North Carolina Senate.

2009: Arrests in Fayetteville Assault Cases

The work to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits led to arrests in cases involving assaults in 2009 in Fayetteville.

2010: Re-elected and Elected Minority Whip

In 2010, Stein was re-elected to the North Carolina Senate and was elected minority whip by his colleagues.

2010: Arrests in Fayetteville Assault Cases

The work to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits led to arrests in cases involving assaults in 2010 in Fayetteville.

2012: Joined Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

From 2012, Stein served as of counsel at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, a regional law firm.

2015: Arrest in Durham, NC Assault Case

The work to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits led to arrests in cases involving a 2015 assault and attempted murder in Durham, North Carolina.

2016: Became Attorney General and worked on untested sexual assault kits

In 2016, Stein became the first Jewish person to win a statewide election in North Carolina. As attorney general, he worked to eliminate North Carolina's backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

2016: Departure from Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

In 2016, Stein concluded his role as of counsel at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP.

2016: Served in the North Carolina Senate until 2016

In 2016, Stein finished his service in the North Carolina State Senate.

2016: Won statewide by only 0.54%

In 2016, Stein had previously won statewide by only 0.54%.

2016: Won the Democratic nomination in the North Carolina Attorney General election

In 2016, Stein won the Democratic nomination in the North Carolina Attorney General election, defeating Republican nominee Buck Newton by 0.54%.

2017: Becomes Attorney General of North Carolina

In 2017, Stein became the 51st attorney general of North Carolina, serving until 2025.

2018: Filed Brief with Supreme Court in favor of the Affordable Care Act

In 2018, Stein filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court arguing in favor of the Affordable Care Act.

2019: Sued Juul for Unlawful Marketing to Minors

In 2019, Stein became the country's first attorney general to sue e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for unlawful marketing to minors, winning multiple settlements totaling nearly $48 million.