Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina, has declared his intention to remain in the race despite facing allegations of posting racially and sexually charged comments on an online message board. Robinson, who currently serves as the lieutenant governor, emphasized his commitment to the campaign in a video posted on social media, asserting that he will not be swayed by what he referred to as 'salacious tabloid lies.'
The controversy stems from a CNN report detailing inflammatory remarks attributed to Robinson on a pornography website's message board over a decade ago. The report alleges that Robinson made derogatory comments about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., referred to himself as a 'black NAZI,' and shared explicit content related to transgender individuals.
While Robinson has denied the veracity of the reported statements, the CNN investigation claims to have linked the online messages to Robinson through various identifying details. The allegations have sparked criticism from his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, who has characterized Robinson as unfit for the governorship due to his history of contentious remarks.
Despite trailing in recent polls behind Stein, Robinson has reiterated his determination to continue his bid for the governor's office. The Republican Party in North Carolina has stood by Robinson, dismissing the allegations as attempts to discredit him personally rather than engage with policy issues.
The unfolding situation has drawn attention from national figures, with former President Donald Trump previously endorsing Robinson as a prominent figure within the Republican Party. However, the Trump campaign has distanced itself from Robinson following the controversy, focusing on broader electoral objectives.
As the gubernatorial race in North Carolina intensifies, Robinson's candidacy remains a focal point of debate, with calls from some within the Republican Party for him to suspend his campaign. The outcome of the election and Robinson's political future hang in the balance as the controversy continues to unfold.
