The North Carolina gubernatorial race has been thrown into turmoil following allegations that Republican candidate Mark Robinson made inflammatory comments on a pornographic website over a decade ago. A CNN report published on Thursday claimed that Robinson referred to himself as a “black NAZI,” expressed support for slavery, and used a racial slur to describe Martin Luther King Jr., among other remarks.
Robinson, currently serving as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, has categorically denied the allegations. “The things that people can do with the internet now are incredible. This is not us. These are not our words. And this is not anything that is characteristic of me,” Robinson told CNN when presented with evidence linking the account to him. His campaign spokesperson, Mike Lonergan, reiterated the denial, stating that Robinson “ever created or used an account on any of these websites” and announced plans to hire lawyers to investigate the matter.
However, a POLITICO review of account data associated with Robinson’s email address from multiple hacked websites has uncovered new information that appears to contradict these denials. The review found that the IP address listed with Robinson’s alleged Nude Africa account is located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, where Robinson resided. This same IP address was also linked to an account registered to Robinson’s email on the dating website Fling.
Furthermore, leaked database files show that Robinson’s email address was registered on other dating websites, including Adult Friend Finder and Mate 1, as well as the now-defunct Lords Of Porno website. The last recorded visit to Adult Friend Finder was December 31, 2013.
The fallout from these allegations has been swift and severe. Nearly all of Robinson’s campaign staff, including his top advisers, resigned on Sunday. At least eight campaign employees have stepped down, leaving Robinson without his general consultant, campaign manager and deputy, finance director and deputy, two political directors, and director of operations.
Leading Republicans in North Carolina have called on Robinson to provide evidence disproving the allegations. Senator Thom Tillis wrote, “If the reporting on Mark Robinson is a total media fabrication, he needs to take immediate legal action.” Senator Ted Budd echoed this sentiment, urging Robinson to substantiate his claims of libel.
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) has also distanced itself from Robinson. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) had made substantial financial contributions to Robinson’s campaign through its super PAC.
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“We don’t discuss internal strategy or investment decisions, but we can confirm what’s public: our current media buy in North Carolina expires tomorrow, and no further placements have been made,” said RGA communications director Courtney Alexander to National Review. “The RGA remains dedicated to electing Republican Governors nationwide.” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who chairs the RGA, has withdrawn his support for Robinson’s gubernatorial bid.
Even Robinson’s high-profile endorser, former President Donald Trump, has remained notably silent on the matter. During a recent rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump did not mention Robinson, who was absent from the event.
The controversy has impacted Robinson’s campaign activities. Several fundraisers scheduled for this week have been cancelled. However, Robinson is still slated to speak at the “Salt & Light” conference, a conservative Christian event organised by the North Carolina Faith & Freedom Coalition.
Democratic opponent Josh Stein has seized on the controversy, calling Robinson “unfit” to be North Carolina’s governor. Stein’s campaign has booked $13 million worth of ads for the coming weeks, while Robinson currently has no TV ads scheduled.
The situation remains fluid, with Robinson maintaining his innocence and vowing to continue his campaign. During a recent stop at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway, he dismissed the reports.
As the election approaches, the controversy surrounding Robinson has injected uncertainty into what was already considered a crucial state for Republicans in their bid to secure the White House. North Carolina, which Trump won narrowly in 2020, is seen as a key battleground, with Democrats ramping up resources in hopes of flipping it blue. Current polling indicates a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the state.
The unfolding situation in North Carolina serves as a stark reminder of the potential impact of a candidate’s digital footprint on modern political campaigns.As the Robinson campaign grapples with these allegations, the outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching implications for both the gubernatorial race and the broader political landscape in North Carolina.
