Josh Stein, the North Carolina attorney general, is projected to defeat Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the state’s gubernatorial race, making him the first Jewish governor in the state’s history. Stein, a Democrat, previously served in the state Senate before becoming attorney general. Robinson, a Republican, gained prominence for a viral pro-gun rights speech but has faced backlash for inflammatory comments he made across various topics including LGBTQ+ issues. Robinson’s campaign had been plagued by the resurgence of online posts and a CNN investigation tying him to incendiary comments on a pornographic website more than a decade ago.
The CNN report linking Robinson to racist comments led to concerns among Republicans about his electability in the upcoming election. Despite denying the report, Robinson lost campaign staff and support as the GOP largely distanced itself from him. Former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Robinson ahead of the primary, called him “Martin Luther King on steroids.” Robinson, who would have been the first Black governor of North Carolina, faced backlash for his controversial statements and a lack of renewed ad buys for his campaign.
With Stein’s projected victory, he is set to replace Gov. Roy Cooper, a term-limited Democrat. Democrats have historically won gubernatorial races in North Carolina, but Republicans were hopeful of flipping the governor’s mansion this year. North Carolina is a battleground state with close margins in recent elections. Trump’s victory in the state in 2020 had set the stage for Republican victories down the ticket. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential impact of Robinson’s controversial statements on the GOP’s success in the election.
The projected win for Stein as the first Jewish governor in North Carolina is significant in the state’s history. Republicans had initially endorsed Robinson as a candidate who could energize their base, but the resurgence of online posts and the CNN investigation damaged his prospects. Stein’s experience as attorney general and a former state senator positioned him as a strong candidate for the gubernatorial race. The fallout from Robinson’s controversial comments and the GOP’s distancing from him raised questions about the party’s strategy in the election.
Robinson’s defeat in the gubernatorial race highlights the impact of controversial statements and past behavior on a candidate’s electability. Stein’s projected victory as the first Jewish governor in North Carolina reflects a shift in the state’s political landscape. Democrats have maintained a stronghold in gubernatorial races, but Republicans have made efforts to flip the governor’s mansion. The aftermath of the election will likely see discussions on the impact of divisive rhetoric on campaigns and the broader implications for the Republican party in North Carolina. The decisive win for Stein marks a historic moment in the state’s political history with implications for future elections and governance in North Carolina.
