North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will not be appearing at former President Donald Trump’s rally in the state following a CNN report about disturbing online posts attributed to him. The absence of Robinson at the event in Wilmington highlights the potential liability he poses for Trump and other GOP candidates on the ballot. Robinson, a frequent presence at Trump’s campaign stops, has been praised by the former president, but the Trump campaign did not mention him in a recent statement, focusing more generally on North Carolina’s importance in the campaign efforts.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Robinson did not withdraw as the Republican candidate for governor by the deadline set in state law. He has denied writing the alleged posts, which include racial and sexual comments, and stated that he will not be forced out of the race by what he called “salacious tabloid lies.” However, recent polls show him trailing behind Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the state’s attorney general. The law allows for a gubernatorial nominee to withdraw until the day before the distribution of absentee ballots to military and overseas voters, which began on Friday.
The inflammatory comments attributed to Robinson have raised concerns among Republicans and Democrats, with Stein arguing that Robinson’s extreme views make him unfit to lead North Carolina. The potential struggles in Robinson’s campaign could impact other GOP candidates, endangering the party’s control of seats in the U.S. House and the state legislature. Democrats have seized on the controversy, using photos of Robinson with Trump and other Republicans to tarnish them by association. A new ad from Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign connects Trump to down-ballot candidates like Robinson.
The Democratic National Committee and other Democratic candidates have also leveraged the controversy around Robinson in their campaigns. Billboards showing Robinson with Trump and quoting the former president’s support for him have been displayed in North Carolina cities. Fundraising appeals and public statements have highlighted the association between Robinson and other Republican candidates. While some Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, have expressed concerns about the allegations against Robinson, others have downplayed his impact on the elections.
The CNN report detailing the alleged online posts by Robinson has caused a stir in North Carolina’s political landscape. While some Republicans have defended Robinson, others have called for him to explain his comments to the public. The report, which includes derogatory remarks about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and troubling statements by Robinson, has prompted reactions from both parties. The authenticity of the posts has not been independently confirmed by the Associated Press, but CNN claims to have matched details to Robinson’s biographical information through various online accounts associated with him.
