Mark Robinson’s journey from a conservative internet star to the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor has been swift and impactful, spanning just six years. His campaign has been marked by a strong effort to connect with evangelical Christians. Robinson has traveled extensively, speaking at churches and using social media platforms to share his views, which include strong opposition to transgender and homosexual identities, which he controversially refers to as “filth.” He has also voiced his belief that leadership roles within the Christian community should be held by men, not women. Furthermore, Robinson has challenged the widely accepted principle of the separation of church and state in America, claiming he can find no reference to it in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or any writings from the nation’s founding fathers.
Robinson’s candidature has not been without controversy, given his history of making provocative statements on various topics including race, abortion, education, and religion. His views, deeply rooted in a conservative evangelical perspective, position him as potentially one of the most right-leaning governors in the country should he win the election.
Robinson has made clear his intentions to push North Carolina further to the right on several issues. He supports a ban on abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, advocates for the arrest of transgender women who use bathrooms not aligned with their birth-assigned sex, and calls for the reintroduction of prayer in schools. As he campaigns to succeed Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, Robinson seems unwavering in his conservative stance, aiming to appeal to North Carolina’s significant evangelical population.
Despite his strong base, Robinson faces criticism from Democrats and concerns from some Republicans about his ability to appeal to a broader electorate. His opponent, Josh Stein, and others have labeled Robinson’s views as extreme, while some within his own party question his potential to project the stability expected of a governor.
Robinson’s approach, reminiscent of former President Donald Trump’s strategy, focuses on energizing the base rather than courting moderate or independent voters. This strategy includes targeting evangelical Christians, a group Trump also sought to mobilize.
Throughout his political career, Robinson has not shied away from making contentious remarks, including those perceived as antisemitic and insensitive towards various communities. Despite this, his spokesperson has defended him as bold in his Christian faith, emphasizing that Robinson respects the constitutional republic framework of the United States.
Robinson’s political rise began with a viral speech on gun rights in 2018, leading to his election as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 2020. His candidacy benefits from North Carolina’s tendency to vote Republican in presidential elections, although the state has shown reluctance in electing Republican governors in recent years.
Robinson’s campaign has focused on meeting with religious groups and advocating for conservative policies, such as a ban on abortions once a heartbeat is detected. However, he has maintained some distance from the more controversial aspects of Trump’s legacy, such as denying the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
While Robinson supports stricter voting laws and has testified against Democratic election proposals, he has been less involved with groups pushing for election audits based on unfounded fraud claims. Despite mixed signals on election integrity issues, he continues to receive support from those within the conservative movement.