Josh Dobson

Josh Dobson
18th Labor Commissioner of North Carolina
In office
January 2, 2021 – November 6, 2024
GovernorRoy Cooper
Preceded byCherie Berry
Succeeded byLuke Farley
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 45)
PartyRepublican
EducationMcDowell Technical Community College
Gardner-Webb University (BA)
Appalachian State University (MPA)

Josh Dobson (born July 19, 1981) is a retired American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as North Carolina Commissioner of Labor from 2021 to 2024. He previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing McDowell County.

He resigned as Commissioner of Labor in 2024 after declining to run for reelection, stating he was leaving public service for private sector opportunities. Following his resignation, he became president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association.

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. He later received a bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University, and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University.

Political career

Before becoming a State Representative, Dobson was a county commissioner for McDowell County.

House of Representatives

He was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives on January 29, 2013, after Mitch Gillespie resigned.

Legislative tenure

2014 election

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

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.

2018 election

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

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. He defeated Democrat Jessica Holmes in the November 2020 general election. He assumed office on January 2, 2021.

Tenure

On December 6, 2022, Dobson announced that he would not seek reelection or election to any other public office in 2024. 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."

Post-political career

Less than a week after resigning his position, it was announced he would become president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association.

References

  1. 1 2 "North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson resigns". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Josh Dobson named president & CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association after resigning as labor commissioner". WRAL.com. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  3. 1 2 "Rep. Josh Dobson". Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Our Campaigns - NC State House 085 - Appointment Race - Jan 29, 2013".
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Josh Dobson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  6. ↑ State Board of Elections
  7. ↑ "Dobson plans run for Labor commissioner". May 6, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ North State Journal
  9. ↑ "Historical Note About the Labor Building". North Carolina Department of Labor. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  10. ↑ 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.