Josh Dobson

Josh Dobson
18th Labor Commissioner of North Carolina
In office
January 2, 2021 – November 6, 2024
GovernorRoy Cooper
Preceded byCherie Berry
Succeeded byKevin O'Barr (acting)
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 85th district
In office
January 29, 2013 – January 1, 2021
Preceded byMitch Gillespie
Succeeded byDudley Greene
Personal details
Born (1981-07-19) July 19, 1981 (age 43)
Political partyRepublican
EducationMcDowell Technical Community College
Gardner-Webb University (BA)
Appalachian State University (MPA)

Josh Dobson (born July 19, 1981) is an American politician, most recently serving as North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. He previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Dobson was born on July 19, 1981, in North Carolina. He grew up in Avery County, and graduated from Avery High School. He then went to McDowell Technical Community College, where he completed an associate’s degree; Gardner-Webb University, where he got a bachelor’s degree; and Appalachian State University, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration.[1] He was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives on January 29, 2013, after Mitch Gillespie resigned.[2] Before becoming a State Representative, Dobson was a county commissioner for McDowell County.[1]

Legislative tenure

2014 election

Dobson was unopposed in the Republican primary, and he defeated JR Edwards in the general election.[3]

2014 North Carolina House of Representatives election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Josh Dobson 15,467 74.9
Democratic JR Edwards 5,188 25.1

2016 election

Dobson was unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election.[3]

2018 election

Dobson was unopposed in the Republican primary, and he defeated Howard Larsen in the general election.[3][4]

2018 North Carolina House of Representatives election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Josh Dobson 20,408 74.9
Democratic Howard Larson 6,822 25.1

Commissioner of Labor

2020 election

In May 2019, Dobson decided to run for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor.[5] He defeated Democrat Jessica Holmes in the November 2020 general election.[3][6] He assumed office on January 2, 2021.[7]

Tenure

On December 6, 2022, Dobson announced that he would not seek reelection or election to any other public office in 2024.[8] He resigned on November 6, 2024, the day after 2024 elections, saying, "After 21 years of public service, I look forward to pursuing new opportunities in the private sector."[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rep. Josh Dobson". Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC State House 085 - Appointment Race - Jan 29, 2013".
  3. ^ a b c d "Josh Dobson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  4. ^ State Board of Elections
  5. ^ "Dobson plans run for Labor commissioner". May 6, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  6. ^ North State Journal
  7. ^ "Historical Note About the Labor Building". North Carolina Department of Labor. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Fain, Travis (December 6, 2022). "In a surprise, NC labor commissioner won't run for re-election". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. ^ "North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson resigns". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 85th district
2013–2021 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Labor Commissioner of North Carolina
2020 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Labor Commissioner of North Carolina
2021–2024 		Succeeded by