North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is a prominent figure in the state's 2024 gubernatorial election. His candidacy has been marked by controversy, particularly surrounding his past online activities and personal life. This article delves into the complexities of Robinson's career, his recent legal actions against CNN, and the broader implications of his campaign.
1. Background and Career
Mark Keith Robinson, born on August 18, 1968, is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. He served in the US Army Reserve and has been a lifelong resident of Greensboro. Robinson's entry into politics began in 2018 when he gained prominence for his defense of gun rights at a Greensboro City Council meeting following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting . This moment catapulted him into the public eye, leading him to launch his first political campaign in the 2020 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election.
In 2020, Robinson won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, defeating Democratic state representative Yvonne Lewis Holley. He became North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor and the second Black person elected to the North Carolina Council of State after Ralph Campbell Jr. . During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Robinson has had a contentious relationship with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, describing their communication as 'nonexistent' .
2. Recent Legal Action Against CNN
In October 2024, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson initiated legal action against CNN over a report that accused him of making explicit racial and sexual comments on a message board associated with a pornography website. The report highlighted that Robinson had posted comments over ten years ago where he referred to himself as a 'black NAZI,' expressed an enjoyment of transgender pornography, stated a preference for Hitler over then-President Barack Obama, and criticized Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as 'worse than a maggot' .
Robinson described the reporting as irresponsible and damaging to his reputation. The lawsuit was lodged in Wake County Superior Court, alleging that CNN 'decided to publish despite being aware or willfully ignoring the fact that Lt. Gov. Robinson's informationsuch as his name, birth date, passwords, and the email linked to the NudeAfrica accounthad been compromised in various data breaches prior' . CNN opted not to provide a comment on the matter.
3. Controversies Surrounding Personal Life
In addition to the CNN report, Robinson has faced scrutiny over his personal life. An email address belonging to him was found registered on Ashley Madison, a website designed for married people seeking affairs . This discovery came as Republicans in North Carolina were grappling with various allegations against him of other online activities.
Robinson's campaign has been criticized for its handling of these controversies. After the CNN report, at least one prominent elected Republican in North Carolina spoke out, with Rep. Richard Hudson stating that 'the allegations are very serious' and calling for more detail from Robinson to assure the public . Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein's campaign responded by saying 'North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be governor,' emphasizing Stein's commitment to a stronger North Carolina for everyone .
4. Campaign for Governor and Public Perception
Mark Robinson announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor of North Carolina during a speech at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina. He won the Republican primary in March 2024, becoming the first Black person to secure a major party nomination for the office of governor in North Carolina . However, his campaign has been marred by poor public perception due to these controversies.
Public polling has consistently shown Robinson lagging behind Democratic challenger Josh Stein. An internal poll conducted for former President Donald Trump's campaign found Robinson running 14 percentage points behind Stein, while Trump was leading Kamala Harris by 3 points in North Carolina . Despite this, Trump has not pressured Robinson to drop out of the race or skip his rallies in the state.
The situation has led to a frenzy among political operatives in North Carolina and around the country. In response to the allegations, Robinson's campaign released a video insisting that he is remaining in the race and blaming his opponent for leaking information against him to CNN .
5. Legal and Ethical Implications
The defamation lawsuit filed by Robinson against CNN raises several legal and ethical implications. The lawsuit claims that CNN's report was irresponsible and damaged Robinson's reputation despite knowing about potential data breaches compromising his personal information . This move has sparked debate about media responsibility and the limits of free speech.
A former porn shop worker who was involved in a defamation lawsuit against Robinson sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that the allegations were not defamatory . This case highlights the complexities of defamation law and the challenges of proving harm to one's reputation in such cases.
Moreover, Robinson's call for Governor Roy Cooper to step down has been met with skepticism, given their strained relationship . This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to shift public focus away from his personal controversies and onto issues like public safety, the economy, healthcare, infrastructure, and education.
In conclusion, Mark Robinson's candidacy for governor of North Carolina is marked by both significant achievements and profound controversies. As he navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how his campaign will ultimately fare in the 2024 election.
