Article Summary –
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign faces turmoil after a CNN report revealed past controversial posts he allegedly made. Top campaign staffers have resigned. Robinson denies the claims, remains optimistic about winning, and says polls underestimate Republican support.
CNN Report Reveals Disturbing Posts by North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson
Several senior staffers from North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign have resigned following a CNN report revealing he made disturbing posts on a porn site’s message board over a decade ago.
In a news release Sunday, the campaign announced the resignation of senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski III, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, the finance director, and the deputy campaign manager. New campaign staff will be announced soon.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson stated, “I appreciate the efforts of these team members and wish them well in their future endeavors.”
Pogorzelski, Robinson’s chief of staff during his 2020 lieutenant governor campaign, confirmed additional resignations, including the deputy finance director, two political directors, and the director of operations.
Pogorzelski said in a text that they left “of our own accord.”
The CNN report highlighted posts where Robinson referred to himself as a “black NAZI,” expressed a preference for Hitler over then-President Obama, and derogatorily mentioned Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Robinson denied the accusations, calling them “salacious tabloid lies.” At a Fayetteville campaign event Saturday, he did not address the controversy. Ex-President Donald Trump, at a Wilmington rally, also did not mention Robinson.
Robinson had previously been a prominent figure at Trump’s North Carolina stops, with Trump praising him as “Martin Luther King on steroids” for his speaking style.
Despite trailing in polls, Robinson expressed optimism about winning against Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the current attorney general. He claimed polls have “underestimated Republican support” and remained confident in his campaign.
Robinson has a history of inflammatory comments, including controversial statements on abortion and slavery.
Stein labeled Robinson as “utterly unqualified” on CNN’s “State of the Union,” stating his determination to prevent Robinson from becoming governor.
Polls show a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina. Democrats have used Robinson’s controversial ties to Trump in their campaigns, highlighting his support for an abortion ban without exceptions.
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested Robinson deserves a chance to defend himself, calling the allegations “unnerving.” Graham stated, “If they’re true, he’s unfit to serve. If not, he has a strong libel case.”
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