Mark Robinson/ North Carolina governor race/ GOP candidate controversy/ CNN report Mark Robinson/ Josh Stein/ Newslooks/ RALEIGH/ N.C./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ North Carolina GOP gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson is vowing to stay in the race despite a CNN report accusing him of posting racial and sexual comments online years ago. Robinson, who has faced previous criticism for inflammatory remarks, denied the claims as “salacious tabloid lies.” Recent polls show Robinson trailing his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein.
Mark Robinson Defends Campaign Amid Controversy Quick Looks
- North Carolina GOP governor nominee Mark Robinson vowed to continue his campaign despite a CNN report accusing him of making controversial online posts years ago.
- CNN reported that Robinson allegedly made racial and sexual comments on a message board, including attacking civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
- Robinson denied the allegations, stating that the words attributed to him are false and part of a smear campaign.
- Robinson is currently trailing in the polls behind Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the state’s attorney general.
- The North Carolina GOP defended Robinson, calling the report an effort by the left to “demonize” him through personal attacks.
- Some Republican leaders have voiced concerns, with a few suggesting Robinson should suspend his campaign, while others continue to back him.
- Robinson has previously faced criticism for inflammatory remarks, including calling abortion “skirt down” irresponsibility in a 2019 Facebook post.
- Former President Donald Trump has supported Robinson in the past, though his campaign appears to be distancing itself amid this latest controversy.
GOP Gov. Nominee Robinson Faces Controversy Over Comments
Deep Look:
North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson pledged on Thursday to remain in the race despite a report from CNN accusing him of posting offensive racial and sexual comments on an online message board. Robinson dismissed the report as “salacious tabloid lies,” making it clear he would not be pushed out of the campaign.
Robinson, currently the lieutenant governor, won the GOP primary by a wide margin in March. However, he has been trailing behind his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, in recent polls.
“We are staying in this race. We are in it to win it,” Robinson said in a video posted to social media platform X. He mentioned a forthcoming CNN story but avoided giving specific details, stating, “Those are not the words of Mark Robinson. You know my words. You know my character.”
Controversial Online Comments
The CNN report revealed a series of troubling comments allegedly posted by Robinson over a decade ago on a message board tied to a pornography website. According to the report, Robinson, who would be North Carolina’s first Black governor if elected, made derogatory remarks about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and referred to himself as a “black NAZI.” Other posts reportedly included graphic discussions, such as being aroused by women in gym showers as a teenager and an appreciation for transgender pornography. At one point, Robinson allegedly called himself a “perv.”
CNN claimed it matched the details of the account in question to Robinson by comparing usernames, biographical information, and specific figures of speech used by the account holder and Robinson on social media. The Associated Press has not independently verified the content of the posts.
Robinson’s Past Controversies
Robinson is no stranger to controversy. In 2021, he made headlines for a speech in which he referred to LGBTQ+ people as “filth,” a remark that drew widespread criticism from civil rights groups and his political opponents, including Stein. Stein’s campaign has consistently labeled Robinson as too extreme to lead North Carolina, citing his inflammatory statements as a reason for voters to reject his candidacy.
Stein’s team reacted to the CNN report by stating, “North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be Governor.”
Political Fallout
Robinson’s campaign challenges have cast a shadow over the broader Republican campaign in North Carolina, a key battleground state. There is concern among some GOP strategists that Robinson’s struggles could impact the chances of other Republican candidates in the state, including former President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in 2024. Recent polls show Stein with a roughly 10-point lead over Robinson, while Trump is neck-and-neck with Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina.
Despite his troubles, Robinson has had strong backing from Trump, who has praised Robinson’s speaking ability and even called him “Martin Luther King on steroids” at a rally earlier this year. However, Trump’s campaign appears to be distancing itself in light of the CNN report. Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt did not mention Robinson by name in a recent statement, emphasizing the focus on winning the White House rather than addressing the gubernatorial race.
Republican Reactions
Reactions from within the Republican Party have been mixed. While the North Carolina GOP defended Robinson, blaming “personal attacks” by the left, some members of the party have called for Robinson to step down. Scott Lassiter, a Republican state Senate candidate, urged Robinson to suspend his campaign to allow a different candidate to take over.
At the same time, other party figures have expressed continued support for Robinson. Ed Broyhill, a member of the Republican National Committee, said he spoke to Robinson after the CNN report and still stands behind him, suggesting the allegations could be part of a political “dirty trick.”
A Background of Resilience
Robinson’s rise in politics began with a viral speech defending gun rights at the Greensboro City Council in 2018. That speech propelled him into conservative circles and eventually led to his election as lieutenant governor in 2020. Robinson frequently references his tough upbringing in poverty and his battles with job losses and bankruptcy, painting a picture of resilience and determination.
Despite the controversy, Robinson insists he will stay the course. Whether he can overcome this latest hurdle remains to be seen, but with the election fast approaching, the pressure on his campaign continues to mount.
