Stein talks unity with Republicans in his inauguration address

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein gave his inaugural address Saturday afternoon to a small crowd inside the North Carolina State Capitol building in Raleigh with the theme of “North Carolina Strong.” In his comments he called for universal Pre-K, teacher raises, a focus on western North Carolina and statewide infrastructure, and praised outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper for his work with the Republican-led legislature.

“My fellow North Carolinians, I am honored beyond measure to address you this afternoon as the 76th governor of our great state, whereas our state toast observes the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,” he said. “You are North Carolina strong, and this day is your day.”

Stein acknowledged his regret in his 15-minute speech, which was also broadcast on PBS North Carolina, that more people couldn’t attend the address and the festivities that were planned, including a block party, but that the public’s safety came first after a winter storm came through the state late Friday and early Saturday, leaving the western and northern parts of the state with a few inches of snow to a dusting and some ice accumulation further east. Road conditions were hazardous early Saturday morning, and many had lost power due to the storm.

He thanked Council of State members, his cabinet, the General Assembly, judiciary, and state employees for their dedication and said he looked forward to working with them over the next four years.

Stein, a Democrat, also thanked former Gov. Roy Cooper for his eight years of leadership and his twenty-five years of friendship.

He also thanked his parents, children, and wife, Anna, the state’s First Lady.

Stein continued on the theme of “North Carolina Strong” mentioning the strength and resiliency North Carolinians have had over the years, going back to the first Capitol building, the North Carolina State House, built in 1796 but destroyed by fire in 1831. The second state Capitol building was completed in 1840.

“Even while the flames were raging, it quickly became clear who we are as North Carolinians,” he said. “Quick-thinking bystanders rushed into the building to save most of the official archives and the portrait of George Washington that still hangs in this House chamber to this day. The churches that surrounded the Capitol immediately offered their buildings to the General Assembly to use, and within a decade from those ashes, North Carolinians raised this mighty structure built of stone quarried from our soil.”

Stein said tragedy is nothing new to the state, like the State House fire, but neither is goodness or resilience.

He mentioned a storm in 1916 that brought record rainfall and torrential flooding to western North Carolina, in particular, Morganton, when the Catawba River rose rapidly, trapping Mr. JL Duckworth on the roof of his store. A man named Will Clark put together a rescue vessel, paddled down the river, and got Duckworth off the roof and both men to safety. A large reward was offered for the rescue, but Clark refused it, saying he was willing to risk his life not for money but for his neighbor.

“Will Clark embodied the spirit of the people of North Carolina,” Stein said. “Today that spirit is still strong. Last September, another terrible storm struck western North Carolina. Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented devastation, heartbreaking loss of life, destruction of homes and businesses, and ruination of critical infrastructure, but they also revealed our state’s character.”

He said since the hurricane, he has met a number of heroes, including Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker and many other first responders, who were just like Clark, and many others who stepped up to help out their fellow citizens.

Stein also remarked that none of the people that he met cared about the party registration of the person they were helping and that they just stepped up to help.

“My point is this: our people are good, and they are ready to meet any challenge,” he said. “They are North Carolina Strong. North Carolina Strong means supporting our neighbors in western North Carolina the same way that they are supporting each other.”

Stein added that the state must fast-track getting people back into their homes as quickly as possible, support small business owners, and rebuild water systems, roads, bridges, and dams to withstand future natural disasters.

He said each of his first six executive orders, which he unveiled last week, cuts through red tape to help people rebuild quicker.

“We have so much more work to do, and I am committed to doing it arm-in-arm with our friends in western North Carolina for as long as it takes,” Stein said.

Stein elaborated on many of the same points in the speech he gave after being sworn in as governor on Jan. 2, including rebuilding western North Carolina.

“North Carolina Strong means economic opportunity for everyone because where you come from should never limit how far you can go,” Stein said. “That’s the promise of North Carolina. Every North Carolinian should have a fair shot of prosperity to start a small business or get a good-paying job everywhere in our state, including small towns in North Carolina. So, we must create more good paying jobs, cut taxes for working people, strengthen our workforce, and invest in broadband, roads, railroads, ports, and airports to keep North Carolina moving.”

He also talked about how pre-K should be available to every student, be smart about how reading is taught in schools, and utilize the most effective educators, but added that as long as North Carolina ranks 48th in the country for per-pupil investment, public school students will lag far behind. “Real pay raises,” Stein said, are needed to recruit and retain public school teachers and staff.

Stein said that community colleges and universities must continue to be among the best in the nation. He added that while a college degree is great, it may not be for everyone and talked about expanding career and technical education and apprenticeship programs.

He also talked about the need for more law enforcement officers, protecting families against the fentanyl crisis, including smashing drug trafficking rings and reducing the stigma of those seeking treatment.

Stein also said that he wants to work with the Republican-led General Assembly despite their differences.

“I want to stand with you as we fight for our people, not with each other,” he said. “No party has all the answers. Good ideas do not come with party labels. When we work together, we are stronger and there is no limit to what we can accomplish for the good of the people of this state.”

He cited past examples, such as Republican Gov. Jim Holshouser working with a Democrat-led General Assembly. While former Democratic governor Cooper’s tenure was marked with more vetoes than all other North Carolina governors combined, Stein pointed to expansion of Medicaid as an example of Cooper working with the Republican-led legislature. He also highlighted the STOP Act, combating opioid addiction, the Safe Child Act, and the Survivor Act, which cleared the nation’s largest backlog of untested rape kits, as examples of collaboration between the executive and legislative branches.

The NCGOP issued a statement ahead of the speech, stating that Stein’s tenure would be much of the “same tired policies” of the last eight years under Cooper.

NCGOP Statement on Gov. Josh Stein’s Inaugural Address #NCPOL #NCGOV pic.twitter.com/Djl9zMG6oZ

— NCGOP (@NCGOP) January 11, 2025

Stein wrapped up his speech by saying that he was ready and eager for the work ahead and would work hard every day, even for those who did not vote for him.

“Let’s build an economy that works for everyone and in every corner of this state,” he said. “Let’s build safe communities and strong schools. Let’s rebuild western North Carolina and let’s build a better and brighter future for our children. Together, we can do it, and we will do it because we are North Carolina Strong.”

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