ELLERBE, N.C. — In front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 supporters gathered outside a giant strawberry-shaped ice cream stand, North Carolina’s Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson criticized both his Democratic opponent for governor and the media as the race approaches its conclusion. “I’m on the battlefield for the people of this state,” he proclaimed during a speech on Wednesday.
Initially anticipated as one of the most competitive down-ballot races this year, Robinson, who has secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, is now on the defensive as Election Day nears. Despite the backing from Trump, he faces a significant challenge, being outspent by his opponent, current North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. Additionally, Robinson is attempting to mitigate the fallout from a CNN report detailing offensive comments allegedly made by him on an adult website many years prior to his political career.
While speaking to journalists outside The Berry Patch in Ellerbe, located about 90 miles southwest of Raleigh, Robinson expressed confidence in his chances of winning. “People don’t care about salacious lies that supposedly happened 15 years ago. What they care about is how they’re going to feed their families, keep their businesses afloat, and provide their children with a quality education,” he emphasized.
Projected early on as the key governor’s race to watch in the fall, this contest in North Carolina has been characterized by tight statewide races, especially for a position that Democrats have held for all but four of the last 32 years. As the campaign winds down, the scales appear to be tipping in favor of Stein, who is vying to take over for term-limited Democrat Roy Cooper.
Polling results since Labor Day have consistently shown Stein leading Robinson among North Carolina voters. Recent campaign finance disclosures revealed Stein’s campaign collected an impressive $44.6 million over a three-and-a-half-month period ending in mid-October, with expenditures nearing $59.3 million during the same timeframe. In stark contrast, Robinson’s campaign raised just $4.1 million and spent nearly $10 million, leading to a significant spending discrepancy of nearly four to one.
The financial backing enjoyed by Stein and his supporters has enabled them to continually highlight Robinson’s controversial remarks regarding abortion, women, and LGBTQ+ issues, which they argue disqualify him from the governorship. Conversely, Stein has sought to use his record as attorney general to reinforce his credentials to the electorate.
Robinson’s campaign took a significant blow following the CNN report in September, which outlined explicit racial and sexual remarks he allegedly made on a pornography site’s message board over a decade prior. Although Robinson has denied writing the messages and has filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN, the controversy led to the resignation of key members of his campaign team. Furthermore, the Republican Governors Association halted its advertising support for him, leaving Robinson’s campaign reliant on social media and grassroots events in rural settings like Ellerbe, where support for the GOP remains strong.
While Trump has not withdrawn his endorsement of Robinson, who he previously referred to as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” Robinson’s absence from Trump rallies has been notable. When asked about the governor’s race, Trump indicated a lack of familiarity with the current status of the campaign. Nevertheless, Robinson revealed that Trump has encouraged him to continue fighting for the race’s outcome.
On the other hand, Stein is not taking anything for granted. The attorney general recalls winning reelection in 2020 by a mere 13,000 votes and is urging supporters to engage in get-out-the-vote initiatives alongside Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. “We are working hard, our heads down. We’re running hard through the finish line,” he remarked after meeting with local party volunteers, stating that his focus is on emphasizing the stark contrast between their hopeful vision and Robinson’s divisive platform.
Robinson argued that Stein has wasted $50 million promoting a platform centered solely on negative feelings towards him. If elected, Robinson pledges to champion educational and fiscal policies favored by the Republican majority in the General Assembly. In contrast, Stein’s agenda aligns closely with former governor Cooper’s priorities, particularly regarding public education, clean energy advocacy, and opposition to restrictive abortion laws and private-school voucher expansions.
The impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods has also influenced the campaign dynamics. Stein’s role as attorney general lent him a platform during recovery efforts, where he even collaborated with President Joe Biden. Robinson, meanwhile, criticized the state’s initial response to the storm but also engaged in community relief efforts.
Robinson, who has the potential to become the first Black governor of North Carolina, still enjoys considerable support among conservative voters, particularly those who resonate with his working-class background and advocacy for gun rights. Stein seeks to make history as well, aiming to become the state’s first Jewish governor.
Notably, high-ranking Republican officials like House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger have not publicly distanced themselves from Robinson, indicating some continuing support from statewide GOP candidates.
As excitement simmered at The Berry Patch, retired school custodian Raymond Moore, 69, expressed unwavering belief in Robinson’s character. Having attended numerous campaign events, he labeled Robinson a “good man” and dismissed concerns over his past, stating, “Everybody has a past. I know what he is today.”