Trump’s preferred candidate Mark Robinson faces backlash over past remarks

In North Carolina’s gubernatorial race, GOP nominee Mark Robinson’s controversial past could be a liability that impacts former President Donald Trump’s standing in the state. Robinson, the state’s lieutenant governor and a favored candidate of Trump, faces increasing scrutiny over his inflammatory remarks and past behavior, which may influence voter sentiment in a key battleground state.

At a recent campaign event at the Olympic Family Restaurant in Colfax, North Carolina, Robinson’s supporters expressed a willingness to overlook his past controversies. Allan Jones, a 59-year-old truck driver, defended Robinson, saying, “He’s a good speaker. He made some mistakes in his past. Haven’t we all? Did we learn from them? Let’s go forward.”

Despite this support, Robinson’s opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, is capitalizing on Robinson’s past comments to paint him as too extreme for North Carolina. Robinson has previously made controversial statements, including a 2019 Facebook post describing abortion as “killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough,” and a 2021 speech where he referred to gay and transgender people as “filth.” Stein, who is leading in recent polls, argues that Robinson’s extreme views could energize Democratic voters and impact the broader presidential race. With Trump narrowly winning North Carolina by 1.3 percentage points in 2020, any erosion of support for Robinson could also affect Trump’s chances in the state.

Democratic efforts to highlight Robinson’s remarks have been effective in shaping voter perceptions. Stein’s campaign has heavily invested in advertisements that focus on Robinson’s controversial statements, and he has outspent Robinson significantly in the run-up to the election.Robinson has responded by shifting focus to issues like economic policy and public safety. He has released ads defending his record and portraying Stein as ineffective on crime. Robinson has also attempted to moderate his stance on abortion, aligning himself with the state’s current 12-week ban and trying to present himself as more moderate.

Political experts suggest that controversy surrounding candidates like Robinson can dampen enthusiasm among Republican voters, potentially influencing the top of the ticket. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, notes that discontent with down-ballot candidates can affect overall party turnout.

Robinson’s campaign remains optimistic, with Robinson himself stressing his commitment to voter outreach despite the negative press. He argues that his past comments have been misrepresented and blames his family’s business troubles on “weaponization” of state government.

As the November election approaches, the impact of Robinson’s past controversies and the broader implications for Trump’s campaign will become clearer. The race in North Carolina remains closely watched, with both sides working to sway undecided and independent voters who could ultimately decide the outcome.