Mark Robinson, the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina and GOP gubernatorial candidate, recently found himself under fire from the state’s leading newspaper, The News & Observer.
Robinson, who is running for the position currently held by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper—who can’t seek re-election—overwhelmingly won the Republican primary with 66% of the votes. Now, he’s set to challenge Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in the upcoming November election.
Despite his strong primary performance and endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Robinson’s association with MAGA politics has drawn criticism. The editorial board of The News & Observer published an opinion piece urging Republican voters to reconsider their support, advocating instead for Stein.
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The newspaper highlighted Robinson’s past issues, including controversy surrounding his ties with the Department of Health and Human Services and alleged expenses linked to a nonprofit once managed by his wife, Yolanda Hill, where all his family members were also involved.
In their editorial, they said, “It’s time for responsible North Carolina Republicans to acknowledge their mistake and support Robinson’s Democratic opponent.” They went on to expose Robinson’s troubled history, mentioning his evictions, bankruptcies, and failure to file federal taxes during the late ’90s and early 2000s.
The board noted Robinson’s hardline conservative stances, which resonate with some voters but also urged that candidates should be evaluated on their overall merits. They concluded he does not meet that standard.
Moreover, reports from the Associated Press suggest that concerns over Robinson’s potential power grab led Governor Cooper to decline consideration for Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, which could leave the state vulnerable.