GOP North Carolina Governor Nominee’s Inflammatory Words May Cost Trump

In Colfax, North Carolina, a gathering of conservatives recently came together at the Olympic Family Restaurant to rally behind Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. Despite his controversial past remarks, attendees expressed a willingness to overlook his previous statements.

“He’s a good speaker. He made some mistakes in his past,” said Allan Jones, a truck driver who attended the event. “Haven’t we all? Did we learn from them? Let’s go forward.” Jones, like many others at the gathering, remains hopeful that Robinson is the right choice as he aims to succeed term-limited Democrat Roy Cooper as governor.

Robinson has garnered favor from former President Donald Trump and stands as the Republican nominee for the upcoming November election. North Carolina has leaned Republican in presidential elections, supporting Trump twice and only backing a Democrat once since 1980. Robinson’s straightforward speaking style and relatable working-class background resonate with many in the state.

However, Robinson’s history of controversial statements has left some concerned. His opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, argues that Robinson’s rhetoric is too extreme to lead North Carolina effectively. This sentiment could potentially hinder Robinson’s campaign and, in turn, affect Trump’s chances of securing the state in the presidential race.

In a 2019 Facebook post, Robinson controversially remarked that abortion in America was about “killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.” In a 2021 speech, he described gay and transgender individuals using the term “filth.”

Democrats, led by Cooper, who serves as a prominent supporter for Vice President Kamala Harris, see an opportunity to capture North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes. Trump achieved a narrow victory in the state in 2020, and Cooper believes that Robinson’s extreme views could turn out voters who typically support Democrats.

After an event in Goldsboro, Stein expressed his uncertainty about how Robinson’s past comments might impact the presidential election, suggesting that such views could weigh on voters’ minds.

“These are not normal people or candidates, and I think it’s going to have a big impact on the way voters look at the Democratic Party in our state and the Republican Party in this light,” Stein stated.

Despite the criticism, Trump has not distanced himself from Robinson, who appeared alongside him at rallies in the state. Recent polling indicates that Stein had a lead over Robinson in two polls conducted in August, although Robinson’s campaign claimed he is faring better than previous Republican gubernatorial candidates.

State Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer dismissed concerns about Robinson’s impact on Trump’s candidacy. “What is real is the electoral strength of Donald J. Trump in North Carolina,” he stated.

Stein and his supporters have effectively defined Robinson in the competitive political landscape of North Carolina. The candidate’s views on abortion are often highlighted, and Democrats have been utilizing footage from Robinson’s social media posts in their advertising campaigns.

Campaign spending data from AdImpact indicates that Stein has significantly outspent Robinson, with a more than three-to-one margin since the March primaries. This disparity is expected to grow with upcoming campaign expenditures leading into the general elections.

“Mark Robinson is the chief spokesperson for the Josh Stein attack campaign,” commented GOP consultant Paul Shumaker, who also noted issues related to Robinson’s family business practices, including problems linked to a child nutrition program run by a nonprofit managed by his wife.

Robinson contends that his past statements have been misinterpreted and attributes the scrutiny of his wife’s business to government “weaponization.” Remaining optimistic, Robinson insisted on focusing on voters rather than polls, expressing confidence in his chances to win.

Experts believe that concerns regarding candidates whose views are perceived as radical can dampen enthusiasm among party loyalists. “Trouble and dissension down ballot can have an effect on party turnout, which can influence the results at the top of the ticket,” said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

Trump endorsed Robinson prior to the primary, praising him for his oratory skills. If elected, Robinson would make history as North Carolina’s first Black governor.

Michele Morrow, the Republican candidate for state schools superintendent, has also faced scrutiny for her extremist views, including her past comments suggesting military intervention could ensure Trump’s continued presidency.

Robinson has countered the abortion discourse by asserting his stance alongside creating an economic and public safety platform. He has been running ads addressing crime and violence, while also navigating the abortion debate. Recently, he indicated support for the state’s 12-week abortion limit, which was enacted by the Republican-led General Assembly last year.

During a recent discussion at the restaurant, Robinson expressed a desire to work within legislative consensus while also acknowledging his personal opinions on abortion.

However, Stein’s team claims Robinson would pursue complete abortion bans if given the chance.

Polling indicates that Stein is performing better than Robinson among independent voters. An independent voter present at the Colfax event urged Robinson to clarify his messaging on abortion to appeal to a broader audience. Some attendees, however, continue to support Robinson, hopeful for his growth as a candidate.

Conversely, those attending Stein’s events express concern over Robinson’s past comments, with some feeling disenchanted by the current Republican alignment with Trump.

“A lot of them are falling in line with Trump; they’re kind of giving up on their values,” remarked retired social worker Susie Hess.