Far-right North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s bid for governor is facing significant challenges, and his campaign difficulties could also impact former President Donald Trump’s prospects in a state he narrowly won in both 2016 and 2020.
A recent poll by SurveyUSA reveals that Robinson is trailing Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein by a significant margin, with Stein leading 48-34. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a slight edge over Trump in a near-tie race, polling at 46-45.
Robinson, a staunch gun-rights advocate who surprised many with his unexpected win for lieutenant governor four years ago, has been repeatedly criticized for his controversial past remarks. These include expressing skepticism about the Holocaust, stating that America was better before women had the right to vote, referring to school shooting survivors as “prostitutes,” labeling Beyoncé as “Satanic,” suggesting that former NFL star Ray Rice’s girlfriend deserved the domestic abuse she suffered, and even insinuating that the country might be controlled by “lizard people.”
Robinson has also faced scrutiny over his personal and professional life, with allegations that he failed to file income taxes for five years and that he and his wife falsified paperwork regarding the qualifications of employees at a daycare facility they once owned. In an apparent attempt to soften his image, Robinson has recently shifted his stance on certain issues, such as going from calling abortion “genocide” to admitting that his wife had undergone one, told Raw Story.
Robinson’s troubles aren’t the only issues complicating the North Carolina GOP’s efforts. Michele Morrow, a homeschooling activist, unexpectedly won the Republican primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction, unseating the incumbent. Morrow has drawn controversy for past social media posts urging Trump to declare a military coup in 2020 and claiming that the Chinese Communist Party stationed troops in Canada to rig the U.S. election.
These challenges aren’t unique to North Carolina. Across several battleground states, Trump loyalists have secured nominations in competitive races. One such candidate is Kari Lake, who, after refusing to concede her loss in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election, has now secured the Republican nomination for Senate. Reports suggest that even Trump has grown concerned about her electability. As Robinson’s campaign struggles, the implications for both the North Carolina GOP and Trump’s broader political strategy in the state are becoming increasingly apparent.