North Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Faces Staff Departures Amid Controversy

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is experiencing significant challenges within his campaign after the resignation of several top staff members. These events follow a CNN report alleging that Robinson made racial and sexual remarks on a pornography website’s message board over a decade ago.

The campaign announced on Sunday that senior advisor Conrad Pogorzelski III and campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, along with the finance director and deputy campaign manager, had resigned. A statement indicated that new campaign hires would be disclosed soon. Robinson expressed appreciation for their contribution, stating, “I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Further resignations were confirmed by Pogorzelski, including two political directors, the director of operations, and the deputy finance director, who left “of our own accord.” The CNN report detailed past posts allegedly made by Robinson, including derogatory remarks about prominent figures and politically charged statements.

Robinson has denied authorship of the posts, describing them as “salacious tabloid lies.” Despite the controversy, he has vowed to remain in the race, avoiding direct discussions about the claims during recent campaign events.

Historically known for making controversial statements, Robinson has been a prominent figure alongside former President Donald Trump at campaign events. Despite trailing his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, Robinson remains optimistic about his chances, citing that polls have underestimated Republican support in the state in previous elections.

Robinson’s opponent, Stein, criticized him on CNN as “utterly unqualified” to serve as governor, vowing to prevent his election. Meanwhile, national political figures have weighed in on the situation. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham referred to the allegations as “unnerving” and stressed the importance of Robinson providing a credible defense.

The controversy not only affects Robinson’s gubernatorial bid but also reflects the broader national discourse, as Democrats emphasize Robinson’s link to Trump and their stance on issues like abortion. Polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina, highlighting the strategic importance of the state in the upcoming elections.