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North Carolina is a vibrant state that attracts a fair amount of tourism. The Tar Heel State has quite a bit to offer everyone, whether they love the indoors or outdoors.

Nationwide, North Carolina maintains the 9th largest population and a healthy political balance as a purple state. While both senators representing North Carolina are Republicans, the state's governor is a Democrat.

However, in US politics, there is always an opportunity for the balance of political power to shift. As 2023 gets started, so is the North Carolina 2024 gubernatorial election.

Thus far, Josh Stein, the Democratic attorney general of the state, has declared his candidacy as a 2024 gubernatorial candidate.

What to know about Stein's run to be North Carolina's next governor

In his official announcement, Stein laid out a laundry list of reasons why he'd like to go from being the attorney general of North Carolina to being the state's governor.

According to Stein, he is the candidate who can create a "better and brighter" state for all of its residents. The attorney general also maintains that if he wins the governorship, he'll focus on the following issues:

• Social equality
• Economic progress
• Public education

Stein's candidacy does not come as too much of a shock.

In North Carolina politics, the attorney general was viewed as a likely choice for governor after current Gov. Roy Cooper. Cooper, after serving two terms as the Tar Heel State's governor, will not be able to run again.

In an interesting parallel to Stein, Cooper also served as the Democratic attorney general of North Carolina before running for governor.  Stein announcing his candidacy comes a little over one year before North Carolina's primary race starts.

Given Stein's current status as attorney general and holding many endorsements from state Democrats, other prospective candidates may not be too eager to challenge him in the primary.

More on North Carolina

Earlier this month, North Carolina officials made headlines for their work to combat human trafficking in the state.

Due to North Carolina's rich tourism, sports activities, and elevated population, human traffickers often see it as a great hub to carry out their criminal selling of individuals.

The North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission is working to bring an end to this, as are various other members of the community.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.