In the unpredictable world of North Carolina politics, few figures have risen as meteorically—or as controversially—as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The 54-year-old Republican’s journey from factory worker to gubernatorial candidate reads like a modern American fairy tale, albeit one now embroiled in a digital-age scandal.
Robinson burst onto the political scene in 2018 with a fiery pro-gun rights speech at a Greensboro City Council meeting. The video went viral, catapulting the then-political novice into the spotlight. Just two years later, he made history as North Carolina’s first Black lieutenant governor.
“I’m living proof that with faith, hard work, and determination, anything is possible in America,” Robinson often tells supporters at rallies.
Born in Greensboro as the ninth of ten children, Robinson’s early life was marked by poverty and family struggles. He credits his rise to his faith and conservative values, themes that resonate strongly with his base.
However, Robinson’s rapid ascent hasn’t been without turbulence. His penchant for provocative statements has both energized supporters and alienated critics. He’s faced backlash for comments deemed offensive to the LGBTQ community and for dismissing climate change as “junk science.”
Now, as Robinson sets his sights on the governor’s mansion in 2024, his campaign faces its biggest challenge yet. A CNN investigation has uncovered inflammatory comments allegedly made by Robinson on a pornographic website between 2008 and 2012.
The posts, which appeared on Nude Africa under the username “minisoldr,” touched on sensitive topics including race, gender, and abortion. Some expressed support for reinstating slavery, while others referred to the poster as a “black NAZI!” The comments were abruptly removed Thursday following the report.
Robinson denies authorship of the posts. However, CNN’s investigation linked the username to Robinson through biographical details and a shared email address.
This revelation has sent shockwaves through North Carolina’s political landscape, with some calling for Robinson to exit the race. Despite mounting pressure, the deadline for ballot removal passed Thursday without action from the candidate.
The scandal comes at a critical juncture in the battleground state’s gubernatorial race. Robinson, vying to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, faces a tight contest against Democrat Josh Stein.
Dr. Susan Thornton, political science professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, notes, “Robinson’s appeal to the base is undeniable, but these controversial revelations could be a significant liability in a general election.”
The controversy has national implications, with both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris eyeing North Carolina as a key state. While Harris’s campaign was quick to link Trump to Robinson, the Trump camp has remained focused on broader campaign goals, declining to comment directly on the controversy.
Trump, who endorsed Robinson earlier this year, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids,” has yet to address the situation publicly.
As the first absentee ballots hit mailboxes, the impact of this revelation on Robinson’s campaign remains to be seen. Political analysts suggest this could be a turning point in the race, potentially shifting voter sentiment in a state known for its razor-thin margins.
Whether North Carolina voters will embrace Robinson’s brand of politics in light of these new revelations remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: in a state known for its political moderation, Robinson continues to shake things up.
As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on this political outsider turned GOP star. Will his meteoric rise continue, or will this digital skeleton in the closet derail his gubernatorial aspirations? For Mark Robinson and North Carolina, the coming months promise to be a pivotal and closely watched political battleground.
