NC Attorney General Josh Stein to run for governor

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Democratic North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has announced he will be running for governor.

In an announcement video, Stein said he is running to fight for a North Carolina "rooted in our shared values of freedom, justice and opportunity for everyone."

Stein has kept a high-profile during his time as the state's attorney general by looking into cases involving the opioid epidemic, solar energy companies and the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster incident.

He will be running in 2024 because Roy Cooper can't run for governor due to term limits.

Cooper was asked about Stein running while attending the N.C. Transportation Summit on Wednesday where he stopped short of giving his endorsement.

"Well first I have two more years to serve as governor and there are a lot of things that we need to get done. Secondly Josh stein has been an amazing attorney general working closely with us protecting consumers, fighting the opioid scourge. I'm going to concentrate over the next two years doing the job that I can. Josh has a bright future and we'll be talking about that a little later," Cooper said.

When asked if he would be endorsing anyone at some point he replied, "Probably will at some point. But right now I'm focusing on my job. I know that he has a very bright future. These campaigns are very long and I want to make sure that I'm working on getting the job done here these last two years."