NC’s next governor: Stein’s ceremonies, and Robinson’s parting speech quoting Shakespeare
Welcome to the governor-elect edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. I’m Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief.
We’re learning some details about the inauguration weekend for Gov.-elect Josh Stein. Stein, a Democrat, is attorney general through the end of the month, and follows his longtime friend and mentor, outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, into office.
The Junior League of Raleigh is sponsoring three days of events, Jan. 9-11, for Stein’s inauguration. The main event is on Saturday night, Jan. 11, which will be the Inaugural Ball. It will be held in downtown Raleigh. You can find out more details and buy tickets online. Tickets for the ball, held from 9 p.m. to midnight at Marbles Kids Museum, go for $250 each, or $350 if you want to enter early for the Council of State’s “gala presentation” ahead of the ball, too.
As of Friday afternoon, Stein’s transition team had yet to announce details of the inauguration ceremony itself.
Robinson bids farewell in Senate speech
Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the governor’s race. Robinson presided over the Senate on Monday, when the Republican supermajority in that chamber voted to overturn Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382 The bill adds some Helene relief funding and shifts powers in the executive branch away from incoming Democrats who were just elected, including Stein. The House is expected to hold its override veto this week.
At the end of the Senate session, senators who are not returning in 2025 bid adieu, as did Robinson. He began by saying it had been “the privilege of a lifetime” to serve, and to make history. Robinson is North Carolina’s first Black lieutenant governor.
He went on to say that the Senate was “much more professional that I was led to believe it would be.”
He added, “there are some of you that I’ve become great friends with, and I’m sure that at some point in the future that I will see you. There are some of you that I may never see again, but like Shakespeare once wrote, ‘If we meet again, then we’ll smile. If not, then we know that this parting was well made.’ Thank you.”
The quote is from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.”
Stein and Robinson’s Council of State goodbyes
Robinson echoed those comments at the end of this past week’s Council of State meeting, including the Shakespeare quote and his comment that he “never would have believed in a million years, when I was working on the factory floor back in 2018, that in just a couple of years, that I would be the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina.”
Robinson addressed Stein, offering him congratulations on his win. He said that, “I don’t know you personally, and I disagree with you vehemently politically, but my disagreement with you politically does not override my love for the state. And as such, I pray that you do a great job for the people of this state, and I certainly hope that you do.”
Also at the meeting, Stein acknowledged serving with everyone on the Council of State, and those he’ll continue to serve with when he’s governor in 2025: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.
Stein also thanked Cooper for his eight years as governor, and for hiring him 24 years ago when Cooper was attorney general. Cooper said to Stein that he “would give you a gavel if I had one.”
Police chief on Stein transition team retires
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson announced her upcoming retirement after three years with the City of Oaks, The News & Observer reported this past week. Patterson is also on Stein’s transition team, so given the timing, it wouldn’t be surprising if she ends up getting a job in his upcoming administration.
Senate race
Speaking of future jobs, for months now, every reporter in North Carolina has been asking Cooper if he’ll run for Senate in 2026. He has not made an announcement as of Friday afternoon. He plans to look at the Senate race “as one of many potentials that I could do,” he told The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner, ABC11.
Robinson’s future, too, is uncertain, and his social media posts this week could mean he wants to challenge U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. The two Republicans are highly critical of each other. Robinson posted a poll on X, asking: “Should Thom Tillis be the 2026 nominee for US Senate in North Carolina?” Then a few days later, he quote-tweeted his post with “Thom is toast,” followed by a gravestone emoji.
Stay informed about #ncpol
Listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. On our new episode posting Monday, I talk with Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean about the Senate override of SB 382, the upcoming House vote, how Auditor Dave Boliek factors into that, and the latest on the N.C. Supreme Court race.
You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. You can also email me questions you may have about incoming Gov.-elect Josh Stein at dvaughan@newsobserver.com.
Kyle Ingram contributed to this newsletter.
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