North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has been in the spotlight following a shocking CNN report alleging that the state's Republican lieutenant governor is linked to a pornography message board account that made a number of disturbing comments.
Robinson said, The video is Shortly before CNN published its story, a post by Robinson was published on social platform X, which described statements Robinson made online between 2008 and 2012, including statements in support of slavery and calling himself a “black Nazi.”
Robinson, who is running against state Attorney General Josh Stein (D), criticized his opponent and the media in the video.
“Rest assured, what you see in this article is not the words of Mark Robinson,” he said.
Here are five things to know about Robinson, who has vowed to continue his campaign despite the recent controversy.
Robinson has a history of making controversial statements.
Robinson has made controversial statements in the past, and there are concerns within the Republican Party about whether she can win the gubernatorial race against Stein.
heExplainedHe has called homosexuality and “transgender people” “filth,” Muslims “invaders,” and made derogatory remarks about Jews and black Democratic voters. He has also called abortion “murder” and “genocide,” though he appeared to soften his stance on the issues during the election. Criticized feminismLike “being watered by the devil.”
Stein, who was leading Robinson in the polls before the latest spat, has refused to debate Robinson as her campaign uses the lieutenant governor's past comments on the campaign offensive.
He became known as a gun rights advocate.
Robinson's comments helped make him a household name, energizing right-wing audiences with his strong defense of gun rights and anti-abortion stance.
When it comes to gun rights, Robinson gained attention in 2018 for comments he made at a Greensboro City Council meeting shortly after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 people dead, when he spoke out against a proposal to shut down a local gun show.
“I'm a law-abiding citizen and I've never shot anyone, but every time one of these shootings happens, no one seems to want to hold the shooter accountable,” Robinson said at the time. Video of the speech show.
“You want to lay it at my feet. You want to limit my rights, my constitutional rights. … You want to limit my right to buy a gun and to protect myself.”
Robinson narrowly won the 2020 election to become North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor and is set to take office in 2021.
He has also spoken out on behalf of survivors of the Parkland shooting, many of whom have controversially advocated for federal gun control laws in the wake of the school shooting.
In February 2018 Post to FacebookFor example, Robinson said students who campaign for gun control are only in it for the fame.
He is a strong ally of Trump.
Robinson has been endorsed by and is an ally of former President Trump.
But Robinson's past comments and current controversy could also pose a major problem for the Republican presidential candidate, as he and Vice President Harris are vying for North Carolina's 15 electoral votes, one of seven battleground states crucial to the election.
Robinson spoke at the Republican National Convention and attended a Trump rally in North Carolina in August, where Trump has previously likened him to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
But there are signs that Trump is trying to distance himself: Sources told The Hill that Robinson will not attend the former president's rally in the state on Saturday. Trump has not been involved in this latest controversy.
A Trump campaign spokesman issued a statement that did not mention Robinson but said North Carolina was a “critical part” of the campaign's plan to win the White House.
“We are confident that when voters compare the Trump Administration's record of success — a strong economy, low inflation, secure borders and safe streets — with the failures of a Biden-Harris Administration, President Trump will win North Carolina again, and we will not take our eyes off this goal,” national spokesperson Carolyn Leavitt said in a statement.
Presidential candidates have a history of dragging lower-ranking candidates over the finish line, but Robinson's ranking could prove a hindrance for Trump.
In the 2020 presidential election, the strong support of Democratic Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock was widely seen as contributing to President Biden's victory in Georgia.
Polls show him losing to Stein.
Robinson was seen as an underdog in the race against Stein before the controversy, but now he may have a much bigger uphill climb.
Political prediction website Sabatos Crystal Ball changed the North Carolina gubernatorial race from “Dem-favorable” to “Democrat-favorable.”
Democrats currently lead Robinson by 11 percentage points, 49 percent to 38 percent, according to a Hill/Decision Desk poll tally.
Republicans appear publicly divided over Robinson
Some in North Carolina's Republican caucus have distanced themselves from Robinson and expressed concern about the allegations, but the North Carolina Republican Party has defended him.
“Mark Robinson completely denies CNN's allegations, but that doesn't stop the left from trying to demonize him with personal attacks,” the North Carolina Republican Party said.Post to social platform X“The left needs to make this election a battle of personalities, not policies, because if voters focus on policies, Republicans will win on Election Day.”
But some North Carolina lawmakers aren't as supportive.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) told The Hill as he entered the House floor that his reaction to the allegations was “not good.”
Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the House Republican campaign chairman, called the report “deeply disturbing.”
“My hope is that the lieutenant governor will reassure North Carolinians that the allegations are not true,” he said, adding that Robinson should be given the opportunity to prove the allegations are false.
