| Josh Dobson | |
| Office: | 18th Labor Commissioner of North Carolina |
| Governor: | Roy Cooper |
| Term Start: | January 2, 2021 |
| Term End: | November 6, 2024 |
| Predecessor: | Cherie Berry |
| Successor: | Kevin O'Barr (acting) |
| State House1: | North Carolina |
| District1: | 85th |
| Term Start1: | January 29, 2013 |
| Term End1: | January 1, 2021 |
| Predecessor1: | Mitch Gillespie |
| Successor1: | Dudley Greene |
| Birth Date: | 19 July 1981 |
| Party: | Republican |
| Education: | McDowell 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.
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]
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 | |
Dobson was unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election.[3]
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 | |
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]
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]
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