Josh Stein was sworn in as the 76th governor of North Carolina—and the first Jewish one—on Jan. 1.
The 58-year-old is the third attorney general to move up to the state’s top job.
“As I take this oath of office, I am profoundly aware of the solemn responsibility before me: to uphold the Constitution of the State of North Carolina and to serve our people,” he said, according to an official press release.
“The work ahead of us is significant, but the time is now to build a safer, stronger North Carolina, where our economy continues to grow and works for everyone, where our public schools are excellent and our teachers are well-paid, and where our neighborhoods are safe and our personal freedoms are protected,” it said.
He also noted the urgency to help those in the western part of the state recover from Hurricane Helene in late September, which left a swath of destruction in its wake. In fact, one of Stein’s first actions is to announce Hurricane Helene relief.
Stein, a father of three, was accompanied by his wife, Anna, and family for the ceremony, which took place in the Old Senate Chambers at Capitol in downtown Raleigh. He replaces the outgoing two-term governor, Roy Cooper. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall oversaw the proceedings.
“I think he’s got one of the most serious day-one challenges anybody’s ever had, and that is the devastation in western North Carolina to people’s lives, to the economy, to the beauty of the place,” said Marshall, according to the local ABC affiliate. “There’s just so much work that’s going to have to be done, and we need to all be in with both shoulders pushing forward.”
He swore his oath of office on a Tanach, showcasing his connection to Judaism. Pastor James Gailliard and Rabbi Judith Schindler offered prayers and words of wisdom.
Stein joins six other Jewish governors in the country, along with Matt Meyer (Del.), Jared Polis (Colo.), J.B. Pritzker (Ill.), Josh Green (Hawaii) and Josh Shapiro (Pa.), all Democrats.
He posted a recap video of his first day in office, with the caption: “First day in the books. Let’s keep going.”
