North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed on Thursday three anti-DEI bills and another measure that in part would target transgender rights. His actions set up more showdowns with Republican lawmakers who pitch the legislation as doing away with structured racial bias in government and public education,

The bills, which were passed by the state General Assembly, would have eliminated DEI efforts in public schools, public universities and state agencies. Stein's vetoes signal clashes between his priorities as a first-term governor and those of the Republican Legislature in what is a solidly purple state.