North Carolina Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D) said Vice President Harris lost the presidential race against President-elect Trump because she “ran out of time,” calling it a “short, abbreviated campaign.”
During an appearance on ABC News’s “This Week,” Stein said Harris “worked hard” but noted the “tough national mood as evidenced by the fact that Trump won all of the swing states.”
“The vice president ran a strong campaign in North Carolina. I think she ran out of time,” Stein said.
Trump beat Harris in North Carolina, worth 16 electoral votes, by about 3 points, keeping the state red. He also won the Tar Heel State in 2020, when he became the fourth Republican ever to carry the state without winning the presidency. He also won it in 2016, beating former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
However, Stein, who won the gubernatorial race against Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) last month, noted that North Carolina residents “embraced something very positive.” He noted that his win against Robinson marked “the strongest win in 44 years” for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
“It wasn’t just our win,” he said, adding that Democrats won positions including the secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor and superintendent of public instruction.
“So, it was an unfortunate night for Democrats across this country, but North Carolina was a bright spot, and we’re proud of what we accomplished here,” Stein said.
Stein is set to become North Carolina’s first Jewish governor and will succeed term-limited incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper (D).
