Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, faced backlash after a report revealed lewd and inflammatory comments he made on a pornography website over a decade ago. Robinson, who was elected lieutenant governor in 2020, denied the report in a video, calling it “tabloid trash” and vowing to stay in the race.
The report led to bipartisan criticism, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Jeff Jackson expressing disgust at the content. The Democratic Governors Association spokesperson called Robinson “unhinged, dangerous and completely unfit to be governor,” while the Republican Governors Association did not immediately comment. If Robinson were to drop out of the race, the state GOP would name a replacement.
Robinson has made controversial remarks in the past, particularly regarding abortion, transgender issues, and LGBTQ rights. He has advocated for strict anti-abortion policies and criticized the LGBTQ community, as well as expressing support for restricting transgender rights. Despite President Trump’s endorsement and praise, Robinson trails behind Democratic candidate Josh Stein in polls.
Critics argue that Robinson’s vulnerabilities could negatively impact other Republican candidates on the ticket. The stakes in the North Carolina gubernatorial race have been raised, with the focus shifting from substantive issues to scandalous revelations about Robinson’s past comments. As the race intensifies, both parties are gearing up for a closely watched election in November.
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