Mr. Stein’s campaign focused on education and abortion rights. But the core of his message was that Mr. Robinson, the Republican, was unfit to lead the state.

The Fox News Decision Desk projects North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein will win the state's high-stakes gubernatorial election over Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein was elected governor on Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and maintaining Democratic leadership of the chief executive’s office in a state where Republicans have recently controlled the legislature and appeals courts.