North Carolina Gov-elect 'eager' to work with Trump administration on Hurricane Helene relief

North Carolina Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D) said he is "eager" to work with the incoming administration to access federal relief for his state as it recovers from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.

Stein told ABC’s "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl that residents in the western part of the state are "really suffering," but that he is "eager" to work with the incoming Trump administration on finding solutions.

"Hurricane Helene left unimaginable devastation in its wake, many lives lost, thousands of buildings destroyed, homes and small businesses, infrastructure, critical infrastructure, water and sewer, wastewater, highways, parts of Interstate-40 fell into the river," he said.

"I am eager to work with the Trump administration to deliver for the people of western North Carolina who need the help of the federal government and our state government to get back up on their feet," Stein added.

When asked by Karl what his greatest fear about the incoming administration was, Stein said he wanted someone who "respects the rule of law" and that President-elect Trump's recent nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI did not give him "confidence that that's a top priority."

Stein, North Carolina's current attorney general, defeated controversial Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) last month in the state's gubernatorial race. During his campaign, Stein focused on issues like affordability, improving public education and protecting abortion rights. 

Stein is set to become North Carolina’s first Jewish governor, succeeding term-limited incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper (D).