Written By Lisa Murimi
Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s Republican candidate for governor, vowed to remain in the race on Thursday after CNN reported that he once posted offensive comments on a pornography website, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and suggesting the return of slavery.
Robinson, who is currently the state’s lieutenant governor and endorsed by Donald Trump, denied making the remarks.
“Let me reassure you, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he said in a social media video, calling the CNN report “salacious tabloid lies.”
CNN reported that Robinson made several lewd comments between 2008 and 2012, contradicting his public stances on issues such as abortion and transgender rights.
Robinson is running against Democratic candidate Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, in the November 5 election.
The state’s Republican Party backed Robinson, accusing Democrats of running a smear campaign.
However, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson expressed concerns, suggesting Robinson do more to assure voters of his innocence.
The campaign has national implications, with North Carolina being a key battleground state in the presidential election.
Under state law, Robinson had until Thursday night to withdraw, but he affirmed, “We are staying in this race.”
