Josh Dobson

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.b3council.nc.gov/bio/Josh-Dobson.aspx|title=Rep. Josh Dobson|accessdate=July 19, 2020}} He was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives on January 29, 2013, after Mitch Gillespie resigned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=783799|title = Our Campaigns - NC State House 085 - Appointment Race - Jan 29, 2013}}

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

Dobson was unopposed in the Republican primary, and he defeated JR Edwards in the general election.{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Josh_Dobson|title=Josh Dobson|publisher=Ballotpedia|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}

Dobson was unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election.

Dobson was unopposed in the Republican primary, and he defeated Howard Larsen in the general election.[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=0 State Board of Elections]

In May 2019, Dobson decided to run for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor.{{cite web |title=Dobson plans run for Labor commissioner |url=https://mcdowellnews.com/news/dobson-plans-run-for-labor-commissioner/article_4f47d90c-703c-11e9-a053-17c6d0347164.html |accessdate=July 19, 2020 |date=May 6, 2019}} He defeated Democrat Jessica Holmes in the November 2020 general election.[https://nsjonline.com/article/2020/11/dobson-wins-race-for-n-c-labor-commissioner/ North State Journal] He assumed office on January 2, 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.labor.nc.gov/about-ncdol/historical-note-about-labor-building| title = Historical Note About the Labor Building| publisher = North Carolina Department of Labor| access-date = August 6, 2022}}

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

| url = https://www.wral.com/in-a-surprise-nc-labor-commissioner-won-t-run-for-re-election/20616028/| title = In a surprise, NC labor commissioner won't run for re-election| last = Fain| first = Travis| date = December 6, 2022| website = WRAL-TV| publisher = Capitol Broadcasting Company| access-date = December 6, 2022}} 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."{{cite web| url = https://www.wral.com/story/north-carolina-labor-commissioner-josh-dobson-resigns/21710138/| title = North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson resigns | date = November 6, 2024| website = WRAL-TV| publisher = Capitol Broadcasting Company| access-date = November 9, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-nc-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Mitch Gillespie}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 85th district|years=2013–2021}}

{{s-aft|after=Dudley Greene}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Cherie Berry}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Labor Commissioner of North Carolina|years=2020 }}

{{s-aft|after=Luke Farley}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Cherie Berry}}

{{s-ttl|title=Labor Commissioner of North Carolina|years=2021–2024}}

{{s-aft|after=Kevin O'Barr
Acting}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dobson, Josh}}

Category:1981 births

Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly

Category:Living people

Category:North Carolina commissioners of labor

Category:Republican Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives