(The Center Square) – Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign for governor remains alive, albeit without significant support he had just a week ago.
Notably, the Republican candidate was not on stage with former President Donald Trump on Saturday in Wilmington, nor is he expected to be on Wednesday in Mint Hill. Ad buys by the Republican Governors Association will not be renewed, and his campaign staff is undergoing significant change due to unexpected departures.
Facing the challenge of becoming the first Black governor of the state and breaking a pattern of Democrats holding the office has existed since Day 1. Still, polling earlier this year had him even or ahead of Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein.
Polling changed as summer’s blistering July turned to August. Then came Thursday’s scorching report from CNN under the headline, “‘I’m a black NAZI!’: NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum.”
In a social media post Monday afternoon, Robinson wrote, “I am in the process of retaining aggressive legal counsel to investigate who did this and how; we will leave no stone unturned and will use every legal means to hold CNN accountable for perpetrating these lies.”
A replaying video was atop the story with comments he made 14 years ago. The story refers to comments he made between 2008 and 2012. CNN said it authenticated its findings based on biographical information of Robinson compared to the poster on multiple websites, and a common email address.
Robinson, in Wilkesboro campaigning, said he’ll “go after CNN full throttle” and chided media present for asking about the report rather than asking him about issues of the campaign. He named the crisis of fentanyl and opioid; the border and immigration; the world stage, an apparent reference to two wars overseas, each seeking American involvement at some level; and the economy.
Ironically enough, Robinson’s social media team reposted the CNN video of his statement.
Not helping Robinson either was last week’s advertisement fully-generated by artificial intelligence promoting Stein – believed to be the first of its kind in the state – from Democratic donor Todd Stiefel, originator of the political action committee Americans for Prosparody. Rumors with unnamed sources on Thursday ahead of the CNN report said the Trump campaign was asking him to withdraw.
Epic could be understating the magnitude of the blitz to the campaign, regardless of responsibility.
Republican South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, appearing on a talk show over the weekend, said, “I think what’s going to happen here is he deserves the chance to defend himself. The charges are beyond unnerving. If they’re true, he is unfit to serve for office. If they’re not true, he has the best lawsuit in the history of the country for libel.”
And that’s a defense with six weeks left before Election Day and absentee by mail voting already underway.
Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, said “allegations aren’t necessarily reality.” He said it is up to Robinson if he stays in the race, and North Carolinians to pick their governor.
Courtney Alexander, communications director for the Republican Governors Association, said in a statement, “We don’t comment on internal strategy or investment decisions, but we can confirm what’s public – our current media buy in North Carolina expires tomorrow, and no further placements have been made. RGA remains committed to electing Republican governors all across the country.”
Stein leads Robinson 45.5%-39.2% in a Carolina Journal poll, conducted by Cygnal, released early Thursday. The pollster released samplings earlier this year in August (Stein by 4.4%), May (Robinson by 0.1%) and April (Robinson by 2%).
Since Daniel Lindsay Russell was in the governor’s office from 1897-1901, North Carolinians have elected 23 Democrats. James Holshouser (1973-77), Jim Martin (1985-93) and Pat McCrory (2013-17) are the only Republican exceptions to the nearly 125-year trend.
