North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein was elected governor on Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and maintaining Democratic leadership of the chief executive’s office in a state where Republicans have recently controlled the legislature and appeals courts.

Mr. Stein’s campaign focused on education and abortion rights. But the core of his message was that Mr. Robinson, the Republican, was unfit to lead the state.

A massive lead gained from votes cast before Election Day helped deliver victory to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat who handily defeated Republican Mark Robinson, the state's scandal-plagued lieutenant governor.