Photo: RYAN M. KELLY / AFP / Getty Images
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson in the hotly contested election to replace outgoing Governor Roy Cooper.
Josh Stein ran on a platform that includes increased spending on public education and opioid treatment funding. He was also recognized for his work in clearing the state's rape kit backlog. His campaign has received support from Cooper.
On the other side of the aisle, Mark Robinson ran on a conservative platform that supported school choice and a strong support for law enforcement.
Robinson's campaign trailed Stein in the polls for most of the race, but his campaign was heavily damaged after a CNN report claimed he made disturbing comments on a pornographic web forum.
The race was considered one of the most important and likely the most expensive governor's races of 2024, according to Ballotpedia.
The race for the state's 16 electoral votes between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remains too close to call as of 8:30 p.m. ET.