BURNSVILLE, N.C. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson addressed a crowd of about 100 people in Burnsville, North Carolina, recently, delivering an impassioned speech before issuing a stern warning.

“Winning this election in November will be a challenge for all of us,” Robinson stated at a rally in early September. “It won’t be easy for any Republican.”

According to a report from CNN on Thursday, Robinson is facing scrutiny due to “a series of inflammatory remarks” he allegedly made on a pornography website message board over ten years ago, which included support for reinstating slavery and self-identifying as a “black NAZI.”

Robinson has refuted claims that he was the author of those posts.

Since announcing his gubernatorial candidacy last year and winning North Carolina’s March primary, Robinson has developed a reputation for controversial remarks, having mocked victims of school shootings and endorsed antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Throughout this time, Robinson has closely aligned himself with Donald Trump, the former president, with both making countless joint appearances in North Carolina and supporting each other’s campaigns.

Prior to the emergence of these new allegations, several voters in North Carolina had expressed to YSL News their commitment to Trump, indicating they planned to vote straight Republican on their ballots.

Now, with this unexpected controversy, Robinson may find himself isolated in a difficult campaign that could negatively impact Republicans throughout the state in the 2024 elections.

Declining Support for Robinson

Heading into September, polls were already showing Robinson’s support slipping, with several surveys indicating he was trailing North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein by double digits.

Despite being part of the same Republican party and sharing many supporters, Robinson’s popularity was already falling behind that of Trump.

While Robinson is seen by many as a strong candidate, Trump continues to hold a narrow lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina, according to the latest Emerson College Polling and The Hill survey.

Robinson’s campaign released a statement on Tuesday asserting they were not worried about the polls: “Polls have consistently underestimated Republican support in North Carolina for several cycles,” said Mike Lonergan, the campaign’s communications director. “Mark Robinson is still in a strong position to win in November.”

Lonergan did not address follow-up inquiries made after the CNN report broke.

Matthew Pearl, a 37-year-old who moved to North Carolina two years ago, mentioned to YSL News that he had not yet focused on the governor’s race but intended to vote for Trump and likely for Robinson as well.

However, after hearing about the CNN report, Pearl changed his mind.

“It definitely disgusted me,” said Pearl, who lives in Belmont, just west of Charlotte. “It was shocking to read. we all have issues, but this crosses a line.”

Pearl expressed skepticism about Robinson’s denials and stated he is now considering Stein, Robinson’s competitor, although he is still deciding.

“I can definitely say I will not be voting for Mark Robinson,” he concluded.

‘Mixed Opinions’ from North Carolina Voters

Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the North Carolina Mountain State Fair in Asheville, Christina Osterbind ran a booth filled with Trump-themed merchandise, engaging fairgoers in political discussions.

While inviting conversations about politics, she heard numerous opinions about the governor’s race in addition to the presidential contest.

“Do people support Robinson as much as Trump?” she asked herself.

<p“Some support him, while others are less enthusiastic,” she replied. “It’s definitely a mixed bag. Many like his views, but others have reservations about certain aspects.”

Kenny Hollifield, a 52-year-old project manager from Marion, North Carolina, is still deciding on his choice for president, but currently leans toward Trump.

“I’m not fond of either candidates,” he shared, “but I prefer more fiscally cautious policies.”

Hollifield is more certain about the governor’s race: “Absolutely not Mark Robinson,” he stated. “He’s too extreme.”

He elaborated, “He’s too radical for me, especially concerning gun issues,” and expressed his intention to vote for Stein this election cycle.

Robinson gained attention for his strong advocacy for gun rights during a Greensboro City Council meeting in 2018. He entered politics soon after, becoming the state’s first Black lieutenant governor in 2020.

Ongoing Consequences from Robinson’s Scandal

Trump, who previously referred to Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” seems to be distancing himself from the troubled candidate.

During a campaign rally in Wilmington on Saturday, Trump did not mention Robinson at all. Meanwhile, Robinson made a public appearance for the first time since a CNN report about him that same day, 100 miles away in Fayetteville.

Despite this distancing, Trump has not rescinded his endorsement of Robinson, and as reported by NBC News, he has no plans to do so, even amidst pressure from allies and advisers.

On the other hand, several prominent Republicans are withdrawing their support. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who leads the Republican Governors Association, was supposed to hold a $500 per ticket fundraiser in Greensboro this week, but his office confirmed its cancellation.

Additionally, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced he will “not provide any further support to the Robinson campaign,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published on Monday.

Sine the scandal erupted, multiple staff members have resigned from Robinson’s campaign. On Sunday, the campaign disclosed that key figures including top advisor Conrad Pogorzelski, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, finance director Heather Whillier, and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk had stepped down.

Cook Political Report adjusted their assessment of North Carolina’s gubernatorial race to “likely Democrat” immediately after the CNN report broke.

High Stakes for the White House in North Carolina

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina described the allegations against Robinson as “disturbing” during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

“If they’re true, he’s unfit for office,” Graham stated. “If they’re false, he has the potential for the largest libel lawsuit ever.”

However, Graham expressed to NBC’s Kristen Welker that he doesn’t think this will negatively impact the rest of the GOP.

“Robinson will have to face this situation. There’s nothing here that ties Trump to it. It’s all about Robinson,” Graham emphasized on Sunday. “He is the one facing these accusations. He needs to defend himself.”

On the contrary, Democrats are optimistic about the situation.

“This is fantastic news for the Democrats,” remarked Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., on Meet the Press Sunday. “Robinson is, in fact, the ideal candidate to run against.”

If Robinson drags Trump down, a victory for Harris in pivotal North Carolina could be crucial in this year’s presidential election.

Trump’s edge in North Carolina is narrower than the lead he had over President Joe Biden before Biden exited the race in late July.

In a memo released Friday, Harris’s campaign claimed that North Carolina is “even more competitive at the presidential level” following last week’s explosive news.

“Donald Trump and Mark Robinson have consistently praised each other, campaigned side by side, and share the same harmful agenda,” the memo stated. “The fates of Donald Trump and Mark Robinson in North Carolina are intertwined.”