2, state legislation that overrode an ordinance passed by the City of Charlotte that extended the protection of anti-discrimination laws to LGBT persons.

[4] Forest was also a leading supporter of proposals to adopt a state "religious freedom restoration" act, a controversial bill on religion.

"[19] Forest's remarks were criticized by Democrats; state senators Paul Lowe Jr. and Mike Woodard said that the comments "only serve to insult, belittle and divide people of faith, no matter their political beliefs.

"[20] In a June 2019 speech to a church, Forest stated that no nation "has survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today"; the remark prompted criticism.

[21] In mid-March 2020, Forest opposed Governor Roy Cooper's closure of bars and restriction of restaurants to take-out and delivery only on the grounds it didn't give bars and restaurants enough time to prepare,[22][23] and in mid-April, Forest called for the immediate reopening of public places with non-binding guidance from state government.

[31] In the Republican primary election in March 2020, Forest won the party's nomination, defeating state Representative Holly Grange of New Hanover by a broad margin.

[32] Although the race for governor in North Carolina occurred in an important swing state, attention to the campaign was largely overshadowed by the 2020 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

[24] In late March 2020, Cooper issued a stay-at-home directive and ordered the temporary closure of nonessential businesses to control the spread of the virus, beginning a phased, multi-step reopening in early May 2020 tied to benchmarks.

[36] During the pandemic, Forest met in close contact with others without wearing a face mask, in contravention of social distancing guidelines; he dismissed criticism as "ludicrous" and "stupid leftist talk.