In a surprising twist in North Carolina’s gubernatorial race, several key staff members from Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign have resigned, as reported by the Associated Press.
This mass resignation follows a troubling CNN report detailing years-old, controversial posts supposedly authored by Robinson on a pornographic website’s forum.
On Sunday, the campaign disclosed that senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski III, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, the finance director, and a deputy campaign manager have all vacated their roles. Pogorzelski also noted that other team members, such as the deputy finance director and two political strategists, have left as well.
Robinson tried to minimize the impact of the departures, expressing gratitude for their contributions in a statement and wishing them luck in their future endeavors.
The CNN report surfaced last Thursday, revealing posts in which Robinson allegedly described himself as a “black NAZI,” showed a preference for transgender pornography, and made derogatory remarks about historical figures including the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He has adamantly denied posting these comments, labeling them as “salacious tabloid lies.” Nevertheless, his campaign struggles to overcome the negative press.
The situation has strained Robinson’s relationship with former President Donald Trump, who previously backed him. At a recent rally in Wilmington, Trump pointedly did not mention Robinson, breaking from their usual appearances together.
Ohio Senator JD Vance, a Trump ally, was quoted as saying that while the allegations are quite serious, it’s ultimately up to Robinson and North Carolina’s voters to decide his political future.
In a stinging editorial, the joint board of North Carolina’s largest newspapers, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer, called for Robinson to step down, stating he is “unfit” for office and urging Republicans to reconsider his nomination.
This controversy adds to Robinson’s already polarizing political past, marked by inflammatory remarks about abortion and women’s rights.
Despite the growing pressure and staff losses, Robinson remains optimistic about his campaign, asserting that he feels well-positioned to win the upcoming election on November 5.
The stakes are high as this race could impact broader electoral dynamics. Recent polls suggest a tight contest between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in key swing states, including North Carolina, where Harris holds a slight lead.
Democrats are leveraging the controversy, using billboards and advertisements that connect Robinson to Trump, particularly focusing on Robinson’s backing of a state abortion ban.
With the election approaching, all eyes are on how Robinson will manage this unfolding crisis in a pivotal battleground state.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.