5 things to know about Mark Robinson, the GOP candidate embroiled in controversy

North Carolina gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson has been the center of attention following a bombshell report released by CNN that linked that state’s GOP lieutenant governor to an account that made many offensive statements on a porn site’s message board.

Robinson denied the allegations in a video posted on the social platform X shortly before CNN published the article, which described remarks that Robinson made online between 2008 and 2012, including that he supported slavery and called himself a “Black Nazi.”

Robinson, who’s running against state Attorney General Josh Stein (D), blamed his opponent and the media in the video.

“Let me reassure you: The things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he said.

Here are five things to know about Robinson, who has vowed to stay in the race despite the recent controversy.

Robinson has a history of controversial remarks

Robinson has made controversial remarks in the past, which has led to worries in GOP circles about whether he can win the gubernatorial contest against Stein.

He has described homosexuality and “transgenderism” as “filth,” called Muslims “invaders” and made derogatory comments about Jews and Black voters who support Democrats. He has also referred to abortion as “murder” and “genocide,” though he has seemingly softened his stance on the issue during the campaign. He also criticized feminism as being “watered by the devil.” 

Stein, who had a lead on Robinson in polls before the latest controversy, has refused to debate Robinson as his campaign has seized upon the lieutenant governor’s past remarks to go on the offensive.

He came to prominence as a gun rights advocate

Robinson’s remarks helped propel him to prominence, and he energized audiences on the right with his fierce defense for gun rights, and his opposition to abortion.

On gun rights, Robinson won attention in 2018 with remarks to the Greensboro City Council just after the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, which left 17 people dead. Robinson at the time was arguing against a proposal to cancel a local gun show.

“I’m a law-abiding citizen who never shot anybody … but it seems like every time we have one of these shootings, nobody wants to put the blame where it goes, which is at the shooter’s feet,” Robinson said at the time, a video of the remarks shows.

“You want to put it at my feet. You want to turn around and restrict my right, constitutional right. … You want to restrict my right to buy a firearm and protect myself.”

Robinson narrowly won the election to become the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina in 2020, taking office in 2021.

He has also made comments about the Parkland shooting survivors, many of whom have argued for federal gun control laws in the wake of the shooting at their school, that have been controversial.

In a February 2018 post on Facebook, for example, Robinson said the students who were working for gun control were only doing so for fame.

He’s a strong Trump ally

Robinson has been endorsed by former President Trump and has been an ally of the former president.

But Robinson’s past remarks and his current controversy could also be a big problem for the GOP nominee for president. He and Vice President Harris are battling for North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes, with the Tar Heel State being one of seven key swing states in the election.

Robinson was a speaker at the Republican National Convention and attended a Trump rally in North Carolina in August. Trump previously has compared Robinson to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

But there are now signs that Trump may be seeking his distance. Robinson does not plan to attend the former president’s rally in the state Saturday, a source told The Hill. Trump has not weighed in on the latest controversy.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign issued a statement that did not mention Robinson but called North Carolina a “vital part” of the plan for winning the White House.

“We are confident that as voters compare the Trump record of a strong economy, low inflation, a secure border, and safe streets, with the failures of Biden-Harris, then President Trump will win the Tar Heel State once again. We will not take our eye off the ball,” national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

While presidential nominees have a history of dragging downballot candidates across the finish line, it’s possible Robinson’s place on the ballot could be an anchor to Trump.

In the 2020 presidential election, strong showings by Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were widely seen as helping President Biden win a victory in Georgia.

Polls show him losing to Stein

Robinson was seen as an underdog in the race against Stein before the controversy, but he now may face a much higher hill to climb.

The political forecasting site Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the North Carolina gubernatorial race from “leans Democrat” to “likely Democrat.”

The Democrat currently has an 11 percent lead over Robinson, 49 percent to 38 percent, The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s poll aggregation found.

Republicans appear publicly divided over Robinson

While a few members of North Carolina’s Republican congressional delegation have distanced themselves from Robinson and indicated worries about the allegations, the North Carolina GOP defended him.

“Mark Robinson has categorically denied the allegations made by CNN but that won’t stop the Left from trying to demonize him via personal attacks,” the North Carolina GOP posted on the social platform X. “The Left needs this election to be a personality contest, not a policy contest because if voters are focused on policy, Republicans win on Election Day.”

However, some North Carolina lawmakers on Capitol Hill didn’t appear as strong in their support.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) told The Hill as he walked into the House chamber that his reaction to the allegations is “not good.” 

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who is the chair of the House GOP’s campaign arm, said the reports are “very concerning.”

“My hope is that lieutenant governor can reassure the people of North Carolina that the allegations aren’t true,” he said, adding that Robinson should have a chance to demonstrate they’re false.