RALEIGH, N.C. — Regardless of who emerges victorious, the winner of North Carolina's 2024 gubernatorial race will make history. Mark Robinson could become the state’s first Black governor. With Attorney General Josh Stein’s candidacy, North Carolina could have its first Jewish governor.
“It’s a high-stakes election, and it’s going to be competitive, unlike other ones I voted in,” said Jordan Chester, who moved from New Jersey. “There is a sense of pride in the potential of Josh Stein becoming the first Jewish governor. It’s a sign of progress.”
It's the kind of progress that wasn’t possible when North Carolina became a state. The original state constitution barred non-Protestants from holding office. Times have certainly changed, even since 1960, when then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy delivered a major speech to address concerns about his Catholic faith.
“There is the rise of what we like to call the religious 'nones' — and not like the people in a convent, but none of the above,” said Steven Greene, a political science professor at N.C. State. “In terms of what voters are evaluating and looking for in candidates, religion is honestly just a much less important factor than it used to be.”
A Gallup poll this year found 88% of voters would support a qualified Jewish candidate for president, up from 63% in 1958. For any clues as to how religion may influence how someone governs, Greene notes politicians from the same faith can hold vastly different positions.
“You can look at somebody who is devoutly Roman Catholic like Joe Biden, who supports a full range of liberal policies. And you can look at a number of people who are devoutly Roman Catholic, like JD Vance, who support an entirely different range of policies,” Greene said. “Same thing goes for Southern Baptists, for Jews, for whomever.”
Stein, unlike other Jewish politicians such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, has not leaned heavily into his faith during his campaign. The campaign says he’s running to make a difference, not history. In his campaign launch video, Stein does emphasize his faith teaches him to make a difference.
“There’s a Jewish tradition of repairing the world. And I think Josh really fits into that,” said Mark Finkelstein, whose daughter played basketball for Stein when he coached at a YMCA. He believes it’s not in Stein’s nature to make faith a central part of his political persona.
“Josh is just not a flashy person,” said Finkelstein, who also knew Stein’s father and worked in the Reagan administration's national security apparatus. “He’s a person of faith, but he’s not going to throw it in your face.”
“If he feels comfortable sharing more, that’s great. If not, that’s OK too,” said Chester, who graduated with a political science degree and worked on a few local campaigns in New Jersey. “It’s more important to consider his character, his experience, and what he brings to the table.”
And that’s where the Stein campaign wants the focus to be. Ultimately, voters will decide if that focus aligns with what they want in their next governor.