Senior Campaign Staff Resign Amid Controversy Surrounding Mark Robinson’s Past Online Posts

Several senior staff members working on the campaign for Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, resigned following a controversial report about Robinson’s alleged past online activity. According to information reported by CNN, Robinson allegedly posted under a pseudonym on a pornography website’s message board several years ago, using inflammatory language and expressing controversial views.

The report, which has not been independently verified, details posts where Robinson purportedly used the term “black Nazi” and voiced a preference for Adolf Hitler over former President Barack Obama. Robinson, who is North Carolina’s lieutenant governor and is striving to become the state’s first black governor, dismissed the allegations as “tabloid lies.” In a video statement shared on the social media platform X, Robinson asserted, “Let me reassure you, the things you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson.”

In light of these allegations, Robinson’s campaign manager, Chris Rodriguez, along with deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk, finance director Heather Whillier, and senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, have all resigned. In a statement, Robinson thanked these team members for their service and wished them success in their future endeavors, avoiding direct reference to the CNN report.

Conrad Pogorzelski, a key adviser who played a significant role in Robinson’s 2020 election as lieutenant governor, confirmed to news outlets that the staff departures were made voluntarily. Despite the controversy, Robinson continues to remain in the race and has resisted pressure from fellow Republicans, including former President Donald Trump‘s team, to withdraw his candidacy.

The revelations come at a critical time as Robinson is campaigning in a pivotal swing state that is attracting national attention ahead of the upcoming election. Polls suggest that Robinson’s Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, currently holds a lead in the gubernatorial race.

Robinson’s campaign was already under scrutiny due to previous contentious remarks. In a 2019 Facebook video, Robinson criticized abortion rights and in 2021, he sparked backlash for comments about not wanting children to learn about “transgenderism” and homosexuality.

Public reactions have been mixed, with some voters unfazed by the revelations. Meanwhile, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie placed blame on Donald Trump for supporting Robinson, warning that such controversies could hinder Republican chances in swing states like North Carolina.