Summary
The backlash against Mark Robinson’s campaign for governor of North Carolina intensified following a CNN report that exposed his history of making offensive comments on a pornographic forum. As a result, Robinson’s support among Republicans has plummeted, and he is trailing significantly behind Democratic opponent Josh Stein in recent polls.
The fallout from the CNN report has been severe for Robinson, who previously enjoyed a strong base of support within the Republican Party. His comments, which included self-identifying as a “Black Nazi” and making derogatory remarks about women, have led to a significant loss of backing among Republican voters, with his support dropping from 83% to 63% in a matter of months. Recent polls indicate that Stein leads Robinson by double digits, with a Washington Post poll showing Stein at 54% compared to Robinson’s 38%. The scandal has not only affected Robinson’s standing in the polls but has also resulted in mass resignations from his campaign staff, further complicating his efforts to regain momentum in a critical election year.
Key Factors in the Backlash
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Scandal and Allegations: Robinson faced backlash after the CNN report revealed his past comments, which many found offensive and disqualifying for a candidate running for governor.
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Declining Support: Following the report, Robinson’s approval ratings among Republicans dropped significantly, and he now struggles to maintain support within his own party.
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Polling Impact: The negative publicity has translated into poor polling numbers for Robinson, with multiple surveys indicating he is trailing Stein by substantial margins.
Implications for the Election
The scandal surrounding Robinson not only threatens his gubernatorial campaign but also poses challenges for the Republican Party in North Carolina as they prepare for the upcoming presidential election. With Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both focusing on North Carolina, Robinson’s declining support could have broader implications for GOP strategies in a key battleground state.
Mark Robinson: Children Who Are Raped Turn Into 'Monsters' Who Do 'Unspeakable Acts'
Oct. 29 / Huffpost / Highlights Robinson's controversial comments about children and sexual abuse, providing insight into his troubling rhetoric and the resulting fallout that further diminishes his campaign's viability. “ WASHINGTON — For no clear reason, North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson filmed himself in December 2018 saying that children who are...
How Hurricane Helene Has Fuelled Far-Right Conspiracies
Oct. 17 / The New Yorker / Examines the intersection of Hurricane Helene's devastation and the political chaos surrounding Mark Robinson's campaign, highlighting how conspiracy theories can influence voter sentiment in North Carolina. “ Listen and subscribe: Apple | Spotify | Google | Wherever You Listen Sign up to receive our twice-weekly News & Politics newsletter. Jessica Pishko, who...
The latest on Hurricanes Milton and Helene
Oct. 8 / Vox / Summarizes the impact of recent hurricanes on political dynamics, linking natural disasters to electoral outcomes and emphasizing the importance of effective leadership in crisis situations. “ Floridians are bracing themselves for Hurricane Milton, among the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, less than two weeks after Hurricane...
Opinion: Sometimes real life intrudes on the news. Good.
Oct. 6 / The Portland Press Herald / Offers a personal reflection on the distractions of life that can shift focus away from politics, while acknowledging the significant implications of Robinson's scandal for the upcoming elections in North Carolina. “ It’s my job to be a news junkie and follow politics and policy from Washington. But it’s my avocation as well, covering “the art of power,” as Nancy Pelosi...
Stein leads Robinson by double digits in NC governor race
Oct. 1 / The Hill / Details the widening gap in polling between Robinson and Stein, revealing the extent of Robinson’s support erosion and the implications for the Republican Party in a crucial election year. “ North Carolina GOP Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's scandal-plagued campaign continues to flounder, with Democratic Attorney Gen. Josh Stein ahead by double-digits...
The Recap: Trump chickens out, his family grifts majorly, plus a good-news poll
Oct. 3 / Dailykos / Offers a roundup of political news, touching on various scandals and polling trends, while emphasizing the broader implications for the upcoming elections and how Robinson's situation fits into the larger narrative. “ A daily roundup of the best stories and cartoons by Daily Kos staff and contributors to keep you in the know. Grifters Inc.: You won't believe Trump family's...
Mark Robinson skipped vote to declare Hurricane Helene a state of emergency
Oct. 2 / The Guardian / Reports on Robinson's absence during a critical emergency vote, reinforcing the narrative of his negligence and highlighting the backlash he faces from both the public and former Republican officials. “ North Carolina lieutenant governor who has been criticized for alleged explicit posts was the only member to not vote
North Carolina's MAGA candidate blew off voting for hurricane emergency declaration
Oct. 2 / Raw Story / Focuses on Robinson's failure to vote on an emergency declaration amid Hurricane Helene, emphasizing his controversial campaign and how it undermines his credibility as a leader in times of crisis. “ MAGA North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson reportedly blew off an emergency declaration vote for his state as Hurricane Helene barreled toward...
New ECU poll shows fallout in NC governor’s race from Mark Robinson’s scandal
Sep. 30 / Yahoo! News / Analyzes a new poll showing a drastic decline in Robinson's support following the CNN report, underscoring the potential ramifications for his campaign and the Republican Party in the battleground state. “ Support among Republicans for their party’s candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, has dropped by 20 percentage points, according to a new poll...
Trump sweeps battlegrounds in latest polls
Oct. 1 / New York Post / Presents polling data indicating Trump's lead in key battleground states, while also noting Robinson's significant struggles, illustrating the disconnect between Trump’s popularity and Robinson’s declining support. “ New polling from swing states with 43 electoral votes up for grabs reveals momentum is building for Donald Trump. The Quinnipiac and Emerson surveys released...