Who is Mark Robinson? North Carolina governor candidate denies racist-remarks report
North Carolina Lt. Gov. and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson allegedly made racist and lewd comments on the message boards of a pornographic website prior to his entry into politics, CNN reported Thursday.
Robinson, a Donald Trump endorsed right-wing candidate, was reported by CNN's Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck to have called himself a, "black NAZI!," supported the reinstatement of slavery and said that he preferred the leadership of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler over then President Barack Obama in 2012, amongst other racially charged statements.
The candidate, who was made anti-transgender sentiment a cornerstone of his campaign, reportedly made comments that said he enjoyed transgender pornography and recounted a story of him "peeping" into a women's gym shower as a teenager.
The Robinson campaign denied that the postings were from the lieutenant governor in a Facebook video and statement to USA TODAY that blamed the story on is opponent Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.
The campaign did not make the candidate available for interview to USA TODAY.
Here's what to know about North Carolina's lieutenant governor.
Who is Mark Robinson?
The 56-year-old lieutenant governor of North Carolina, previously worked in furniture manufacturing, at his wife's nonprofit Balanced Nutrition Inc. and he also served in the US Army Reserve
What offices has Robinson previously held?
None
What are Robinson's stances on top issues
Robinson wants to raise teacher pay but he is also a strong supporter of "school choice" and taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. He believes some public schools are indoctrinating students as seen from his taskforce as lieutenant governor called F.A.C.T.S., which stands for Fairness and Accountability in the Classroom for Teachers and Students.
Robinson also stands firm in his gun rights stance, a topic that propelled him into the spotlight after he gave a passionate speech at a Greensboro City Council meeting about Second Amendment rights.
'Life begins in the womb': Robinson on abortion
His policy plans for abortion access have muddied throughout the campaign. He initially called for a 6-week abortion ban that he later back-stepped on. Most recently, NBC News reported that he hopes to continue restricting abortion if elected. He also wants to lower taxes for North Carolinians, better support veterans and increase public safety.
Robinson has implied that he would support a total abortion ban, saying there is "no compromise on abortion."
"We need to stand up and declare that life begins in the womb. Life does not begin when Roy Cooper says it begins,” Robinson told a congregation at Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, during his 2020 campaign for lieutenant governor.
The candidate has walked back statements during his time as lieutenant governor: His campaign has said Robinson would support a ban after a fetal heartbeat is detected, often six weeks, with exceptions for “extreme situations” such as rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother.
Before announcing his run for governor, Robinson confirmed after an old Facebook post of his resurfaced that in 1989 he paid for his then-girlfriend and now-wife to have an abortion.
“It was the hardest decision we have ever made. Sadly, we made the wrong one,” Robinson said, appearing beside his wife, Yolanda Hill, in a video posted to social media in March 2022. “It’s because of this experience and our spiritual journey that we are so adamantly pro-life.”
Who's backed Mark Robinson?
The current lieutenant governor has gained the backing of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The nonprofit his wife runs, Balanced Nutrition Inc., has also come under fire for owing the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services thousands of dollars for failing to comply with several program rules.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Robinson denies reports of racist internet comments, what to know
