As Mark Robinson’s Campaign Crumbles, North Carolina Republicans Seethe
“Six weeks before Election Day, the Republican Party in North Carolina is in an extraordinary standoff with its own nominee for governor.
After a CNN report last week linked the candidate, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, to offensive comments on a porn website, donations to his campaign have dried up. Most of his staff has resigned. Incensed Republican officials, donors and lawmakers want him to drop out, but Mr. Robinson has refused to quit.
The question now, party leaders say, is whether he will sink other Republican state and local candidates with him.”
RGA Calls It Quits on Additional North Carolina Ad Buys as Mark Robinson Staff Exodus Continues
““We don’t comment on 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,” RGA communications director Courtney Alexander tells National Review. “RGA remains committed to electing Republican Governors all across the country.”
…The news comes as the Robinson campaign continues to bleed staff. On Sunday, Robinson’s campaign sent out a press release announcing that four employees resigned from his campaign: general consultant Conrad Pogorzelski III, campaign manager Christopher Rodriguez, finance director Heather Whillier, and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk.
“I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors,” Robinson said in a press release. “An announcement of new incoming staff members will be forthcoming from the campaign soon.”
Four additional staffers not listed in that press release have also resigned, according to Pogorzelski, Robinson’s former general consultant. “The reports are true that I, along with others from the campaign have left of our own accord,” he said in a text message to National Review that listed several other staff departures, including deputy finance director Caroline Winchester, political director John Kontoulas, political director Jackson Lohrer, and director of operations Patrick Riley.”
Tennessee Governor Pulls Endorsement of Mark Robinson
““Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is withdrawing his support for embattled North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, reversing a previous endorsement for his gubernatorial bid, following reporting on the salacious and racist remarks Robinson is accused of making on pornographic websites prior to his political career,” the Tennessean reports.”
Georgia Governor Yanks Endorsement of Mark Robinson
““Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp withdrew his support Monday from beleaguered North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who was linked in a CNN report to a series of inflammatory comments on a pornographic website,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.”