Josh Dobson
Josh Dobson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 18th Labor Commissioner of North Carolina | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2021 | |
| Governor | Roy Cooper |
| Preceded by | Cherie Berry |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 85th district | |
| In office January 29, 2013 – January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mitch Gillespie |
| Succeeded by | Dudley Greene |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 19, 1981 |
| Political 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, currently 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]
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 |
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]
Corruption allegations[]
In October 2020, Dobson was accused[7] of embezzlement of North Carolina taxpayer funds through the means of "double-dipping" reimbursements. Since 2017, Dobson had reimbursed himself twice for housing and travel expenses, once from the state and then from his campaign committee funds. In this way, he personally profited from every such expense. The complaint documented over $100,000 in such improper reimbursement expenses that Dobson pocketed.
On October 23, 2020, Dobson received notification from the Legislative Ethics Committee that the complaint filed against him was dismissed, though its content was not contested.[8]
References[]
- ^ a b "Rep. Josh Dobson". Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC State House 085 - Appointment Race - Jan 29, 2013".
- ^ a b c d "Josh Dobson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ State Board of Elections
- ^ "Dobson plans run for Labor commissioner". May 6, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- ^ North State Journal
- ^ "Republican Candidate for Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson Accused of "Double Dipping" With State Funds in Ethics Complaint". 5 October 2020.
- ^ Dismissal Letter
Statewide political officials of North Carolina | ||
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- 1981 births
- 21st-century American politicians
- Living people
- Members of the North Carolina House of Representatives
- North Carolina Commissioners of Labor
- North Carolina Republicans