Nashville, Tennessee – A Shift in Support for Mark Robinson
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has decided to withdraw his support for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, reversing a prior endorsement of his gubernatorial campaign. This decision comes in light of recent reports detailing controversial comments Robinson allegedly made on various platforms prior to entering politics.
Earlier Endorsement and Fundraiser Cancellation
Lee’s spokesperson, Elizabeth Johnson, confirmed to local media on Monday that the governor is no longer backing Robinson’s bid for governor. Lee, who had previously endorsed Robinson in March when he served as chair of the Republican Governor’s Association, had even planned to attend a fundraiser in North Carolina for Robinson this week. However, the $500-per-ticket event has since been canceled.
In March, shortly after Robinson secured the gubernatorial primary, Lee expressed confidence in Robinson’s potential to help North Carolina families through conservative policies. “North Carolina families want someone whose conservative policies will deliver results by expanding opportunity, security and freedom,” Lee stated at the time, emphasizing Robinson’s leadership.
Controversial Remarks and Allegations
Recently, a report by CNN detailed several inflammatory comments allegedly made by Robinson on pornographic websites and social media before his political career began. The report indicated that Robinson once identified himself as a “black NAZI!” and made comments about slavery that he allegedly stated included “I would certainly buy a few.” In addition, he reportedly shared graphic sexual fantasies and stories on a site called “Nude Africa” between 2008 and 2012.
Robinson has strongly denied making such statements, labeling them as “salacious tabloid trash.” He accused Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, his opponent in the governor’s race, of leaking this information. Despite the mounting pressure, Robinson stated he has no intention of withdrawing from the race, asserting, “You know my words, you know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before.”
Additional Revelations and Campaign Developments
According to further reports, an email linked to Robinson was registered with Ashley Madison, a site known for facilitating extramarital affairs. However, Robinson’s campaign has denied that he ever created or used an account on the site.
As the political landscape continues to unravel for Robinson, it has been reported that several top staffers from his campaign resigned over the weekend. The Republican Governor’s Association, which previously supported him, did not respond to requests for comment regarding Lee’s withdrawal of backing.
Conclusion
The decision by Governor Lee to retract his support for Robinson marks a significant shift in the political climate surrounding the upcoming North Carolina gubernatorial race. As allegations continue to surface and scrutiny intensifies, it remains unclear how this will impact Robinson’s campaign moving forward.
This development has not only drawn attention to Robinson’s past comments and online activity but also indicates a growing concern within political circles regarding the implications of such controversies on candidates’ electability.
