Republican North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is facing pressure from fellow party members to withdraw from the gubernatorial race, according to sources familiar with the situation. A spokesperson for Robinson dismissed rumors about his potential exit from the race, labeling them as “absolute fiction.”
The mounting pressure follows Robinson’s low polling numbers and reports from local media outlets regarding a forthcoming CNN story that allegedly uncovers new comments made by him. These reports suggest that the comments might contain antisemitic and sexual content. A Republican former town councilman, Scott Lassiter, has called for Robinson to step aside, stating that North Carolinians deserve a viable choice in the election.
Robinson had several events scheduled for Thursday that were canceled, including one featuring Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. He has a history of making controversial remarks about various groups, which has raised concerns among some Republican insiders about his viability in the general election. However, he continues to garner strong support from his base, having won the Republican primary in March.
The allegations regarding his comments have provoked reactions from state and national Republican figures. Senator Ted Budd expressed concern over the allegations but emphasized the need for factual verification.
Replacing Robinson on the ballot would require approval from the state Republican Party’s executive committee, and would need to be completed quickly as ballots are set to be mailed out soon. Current poll results show Robinson trailing his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, by a significant margin, which is worrying for GOP strategists as Trump’s presidential campaign could be affected by Robinson’s unpopularity.
Governor Roy Cooper has also criticized Robinson, saying he is not the right choice for North Carolina as pressure continues to build within the party.