Anna Harris Stein
Anna Harris Stein | |
|---|---|
Stein speaking at the North Carolina First Lady's Luncheon in 2025 | |
| First Lady of North Carolina | |
| Assumed role January 1, 2025 | |
| Governor | Josh Stein |
| Preceded by | Kristin Cooper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anna Harris Elkin, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Josh Stein |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Executive Mansion (primary) Western Residence (secondary) |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BS, JD, MPH) |
| Occupation | lawyer, public health official |
Anna Harris Stein is an American lawyer, public health official, and civic leader. Between 2011 and 2024, she worked as a legal advisor for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. On January 1, 2025, as the wife of Governor Josh Stein, she became the first lady of North Carolina. In April 2025, she was appointed to the North Carolina Joint Reentry Council by the North Carolina Secretary of Adult Correction.
Early life and education
Stein was born in Elkin, North Carolina to David Harris and Patty Harris.[1] She lived in Greenville as an infant, while her parents attended East Carolina University, and then moved to Winston-Salem when she was seven years old.[1]
Stein graduated from Richard J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[1] She later went back to Chapel Hill to earn a master's degree in public health.[1]
Career and public life
After graduating from law school, Stein clerked on the North Carolina Court of Appeals for Judge Joe John.[1] She later clerked for Judge Robin E. Hudson on the court and joined Hudson in private practice.[1]
Stein began working as legal specialist with the North Carolina Division of Public Health's Chronic Disease and Injury Section, a division within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in 2011.[2][3] The division she advises is focused on tobacco-free living, health eating, active living and injury prevention policies.[3] From 2012 to 2014, she worked on the Community Transformation Grant Project.[3] She later served on the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch's opioid overdose prevention team.[3] In October 2023, Stein switched to a part-time role within the department, focusing on health care toolkits for jails and detention centers.[3][4]
In August 2024, North Carolina lieutenant governor Mark Robinson alleged that Stein was "deeply embedded" in the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which was investigating a nonprofit run by Robinson's wife, Second Lady Yolanda Hill Robinson, for mismanaging funds provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.[5][4] Robinson falsely claimed that Stein, whose husband, Josh Stein, was running against Robinson as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election, was targeting him because of the election.[3] A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that Stein was not involved in any of the investigations against the Robinson's business.[3][4]
On January 1, 2025, Stein's husband was sworn in as the governor of North Carolina, making her the first lady of North Carolina.[6] Her husband is the state's first Jewish governor.[6] She held the Hebrew Bible during her husband's oath of office.[7]
Stein was the guest of honor at the Junior League of Raleigh's North Carolina First Lady's Luncheon, held on January 10, 2025 at the North Carolina Museum of Art.[8] Due to inclement weather, the Stein's inaugural ball was postponed until the spring.[8]
In April 2025, Stein was appointed to the North Carolina Joint Reentry Council by North Carolina Secretary of Adult Correction Leslie Cooley Dismukes.[9] The council focuses on the rehabilitation and reentry into society of formerly incarcerated people.[9]
Personal life
She is married to Josh Stein, whom she met in 1993 while interning for North Carolina Attorney General Mike Easley.[10][1] They have three children.[11] The family are members of Temple Beth Or, a Reform synagogue in Raleigh.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "About the First Lady". Office of the North Carolina Governor. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Anna Stein, JD, MPH". North Carolina Opioid Prevention Summit. Archived from the original on 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g Staff Report (2024-08-20). "Robinson alleges Stein's wife was 'deeply embedded' in DHHS. AG says his claim is 'ridiculous' - Spokesperson for DHHS confirmed Anna Stein "has not been involved" in oversight work". Salisbury Post. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b c "Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign draws line to Josh Stein's wife amid nonprofit investigation, alleges 'weaponization of government'". FOX8 WGHP. 2024-08-15. Archived from the original on 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ O’Neill, Nora; Ramsey, Mary (2024-08-26). "Mark Robinson accuses Josh Stein's wife in NC agency's scrutiny of family's nonprofit". www.charlotteobserver.com.
- ^ a b A. O. L. Staff (2025-01-01). "Josh Stein sworn in as North Carolina governor". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "North Carolina's new Democratic governor pledges to rebuild after Helene, work with GOP". Spectrum News 1. January 11, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Sockol, Matthew (January 8, 2025). "Inauguration events for NC Gov. Josh Stein canceled due to weather". Queen City News. Charlotte, North Carolina. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ a b "First Lady Anna Stein Appointed to Joint Reentry Council". Office of the North Carolina Governor. Raleigh, North Carolina. April 15, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ WRAL (2023-12-12). "NC Attorney General Josh Stein with his wife, Anna, as he files to run for governor in 2024". WRAL.com. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Spotlight: North Carolina AG Josh Stein". The State AG Report. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Keene, Louis (2024-11-06). "Meet Josh Stein, North Carolina's first Jewish governor-elect". The Forward. Retrieved 2025-01-05.