NC Attorney General Josh Stein hospitalized after stroke

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, expected to be the leading Democratic candidate for governor in 2024, says he suffered a minor stroke and had a blood clot removed.

Posted 3:18 p.m. May 24, 2022 — Updated 7:42 p.m. May 24, 2022

Travis Fain

, WRAL state government reporter

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein was in the hospital Tuesday after suffering what he described as a minor stroke.

Stein, 55, said on Twitter that the stroke happened Monday night and that he suffers no lingering effects, but his doctor wants him to rest. He said a small blood clot had been removed.

"I’m feeling back to normal now and am beyond blessed to have no lingering effects," Stein said in a series of tweets about the incident. "I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for this morning, especially my loving family. Just thinking of them makes my heart swell."

Stein, a former state senator, is in his second term as attorney general. He is widely expected to run for governor in 2024. He said last week that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Stein said Tuesday that he had stroke-like symptoms on Monday after walking his dog with his wife, Anna, and that she insisted he go to the hospital.

"I’m so grateful my wife knew the signs," he wrote, linking to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list of stroke symptoms. The CDC says fast treatment can lessen the brain damage that stroke can cause.

Deputy Chief of Staff Laura Brewer said that Stein remains in charge at the North Carolina Department of Justice, which the attorney general oversees. "He also has a senior leadership team that is executing his vision," she said in an email.

Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted that he had spoken to Stein and that he's doing well. "Already back at it on the phone and corresponding," Cooper said in the tweet. "Can’t keep a good man down."

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