Sept 19 (Askume) – The Republican candidate for North Carolina governor on Thursday vowed to stay on the ballot after a CNN report that he had called himself a “black Nazi” and made comments on a porn website, a proposal he proposed.
Mark Robinson, an African American who declined to comment, is North Carolina’s lieutenant governor and the state’s attorney general and is running against Democratic candidate Josh Stein in the Nov. 5 election.
North Carolina’s gubernatorial race could have implications for the presidential election. The fate of high-profile candidates there could influence partisan turnout or enthusiasm in the deeply divided battleground state, tipping the election between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
Robinson, 56, who has received an endorsement from Trump, has a history of inflammatory rhetoric and posted a video rebuttal on social media ahead of CNN’s report.
“I want to assure you that what you’re going to see in that story — those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” the candidate said. He called CNN’s report a “blatant tabloid lie.”
“We’re going to stay in the game,” Robinson said.
In an article on a porn website in October 2010, CNN reported that Robinson wrote: “Slavery isn’t bad. Some people have to be slaves. I hope they bring it (slavery) back.”
CNN said Robinson made several other “sexually explicit and pornographic” posts between 2008 and 2012 before entering politics, but only one of them was reported due in part to their graphic nature. Many of the materials were contrary to his public stances on issues such as abortion and transgender rights, CNN said.
Askume could not immediately confirm the post. CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.
The North Carolina Republican Party endorsed Robinson, saying Democrats were engaged in a smear campaign because they were behind on policy.
“Mark Robinson has categorically denied CNN’s allegations, but that does not stop left-wing parties from trying to discredit him through personal attacks,” the party said in a statement.
At least one Republican, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, called the CNN report “very worrisome” and said he believes Robinson needs to do more to reassure voters. He believes the allegations are false.
His opponent Stein cited some of Robinson’s past controversial comments in a television attack ad, and his campaign issued a statement Thursday condemning the remarks.
“The people of North Carolina already know that Mark Robinson is completely unqualified to serve as governor. Josh is focused on winning this race so that together we can build a safer state, a stronger North Carolina state,” Stein’s campaign said.
After the CNN report was published, the Harris campaign released a video clip of Trump praising Robinson. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump will hold a rally in the state on Saturday.
Under North Carolina law, the deadline for Robinson to drop out of the race is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, the day before the state begins mailing absentee ballots to military and overseas voters. If he does so, the state Republican Executive Committee will select a replacement.
State Election Board spokesman Patrick Gannon said all 100 counties have printed absentee ballots with Robinson’s name, and some counties have begun receiving early voting and Election Day printed ballots.
If a candidate withdraws and it is found impracticable to reprint the ballot paper, the ballot paper cast by that candidate shall be transferred to the candidate replacing him.
