Opinion: I’m a veteran and a military spouse. Here’s why we need Josh Stein as our next governor.

The military taught me many lessons, but one of the most important is to be a person of my word.

Serving my country was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The military is where I learned what true leadership looks like and what it means to live the Army values. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage became the foundation of my life. It was also in the Army where I met my husband, a man who fully embodied these values.

Though I only served one enlistment, my husband served 24 years, including five deployments to Iraq, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to service and duty. His dedication exemplifies the courage and loyalty the Army instills, and it continues to inspire us both.

After leaving the military, I committed myself to advocating for service members, veterans, and military families. Through my work with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), I’ve supported initiatives ranging from spouse employment to mental health to protecting education benefits. At the local level, I volunteered with AUSA chapters at every duty station my family was at. These chapters provided invaluable resources to ensure that our soldiers and their families were taken care of. This advocacy has allowed me to continue serving the people I care deeply about.

As a veteran and as a military spouse, I know the difference between leaders who pay lip service to standing with veterans, and leaders who use their positions of power to actually support us.

Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has talked a big game when it comes to supporting veterans, but this past week we found out that he has never once shown up to the Military Affairs Commission that he sits on, where he would have the chance to meaningfully advocate
for us.

Having served in the Army, I thought Robinson would have learned the importance of fulfilling his duty, but his absence from this critical role suggests otherwise. He’s talked about how supporting veterans is a bipartisan issue, and I agree with him completely. But he’s been given chances to be a bipartisan leader, and he’s simply been AWOL. For someone in his position, that’s unacceptable.

My brother-in-law, a Lieutenant Colonel with 22 years of service and two deployments, has dedicated his life to protecting the freedoms and values we hold dear. Yet despite his selfless sacrifice, Mark Robinson sees him as less than, simply because he is a proud, happily married gay man. Robinson’s hateful rhetoric doesn’t just demean my brother-in-law’s service—it disrespects the countless others who wear the uniform, regardless of their sexual orientation.

In contrast, Josh Stein has consistently shown up. As Attorney General, he’s fought to protect veterans’ benefits, supported the PACT Act, and worked to ensure health care access for veterans. Stein understands that leadership is about action, not just words. He’s fought for the dignity and rights of all citizens, including my brother-in-law and others in the LGBTQ+ community who continue to serve with honor. His commitment to justice and inclusivity sets him apart as a leader who understands the meaning of service and sacrifice.

And it’s not just veterans that he’s fighting for – he’s fighting for every North Carolinian. He sent his own kids to public schools, and he’s spent his career fighting for North Carolina’s public schools to be fully funded. He stood up for women’s reproductive rights, and he stood up for Medicaid expansion, which has now given over 500,000 North Carolinians – including over 14,000 veterans – access to affordable health care. Josh understands the importance of showing up.

I don’t give my support lightly. I’m a middle-of-the-road person who votes based on principles, not party lines. But Josh Stein has proven that he will deliver for veterans and all North Carolinians. Josh Stein shows up for us, and that’s why he has my support for governor.

North Carolina is a great state for military families, and I believe it can be even better. With Josh Stein as governor, I’m confident we will see more support for veterans, families’ health care, employment, and housing options. He’s the leader North Carolina needs, and he’s proven that he won’t just talk the talk—he’ll walk the walk.