A looming CNN story threatens to upend the North Carolina gubernatorial race, placing the Republican candidate in a precarious position.
According to Breitbart News, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina, is reportedly facing pressure to withdraw from the race due to an impending CNN story that could potentially damage his campaign.
The nature of the story remains unclear, with conflicting reports about its content. Some sources suggest it pertains to Robinson's alleged activities on adult websites in the 2000s, while others claim it involves racist remarks he supposedly made on message boards years ago. Robinson has vehemently denied all allegations related to the forthcoming story.
The Carolina Journal reported that the CNN story would focus on Robinson's alleged activities on adult websites during the 2000s.
However, Business North Carolina presented a different narrative, suggesting the story would revolve around racist comments Robinson allegedly made on message boards in the past.
Jason Williams, a partner at Endgame Consulting, which is involved with Robinson's campaign, shared his understanding of the allegations.
He mentioned that the claims included extremely racist comments about Martin Luther King Jr., Robinson referring to himself as a "Black Nazi," and the use of antisemitic language.
In response to these reports, Robinson released a video statement on Thursday afternoon. He categorically denied all allegations in the upcoming story, stating:
Guys, the news media is at it again. My opponent is at it again. You've all seen the half-truths and outright lies of Josh Stein on these ads over and over again. Now, a story, leaked by him to CNN, is appearing now. Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson. You know my words. You know my character and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before.
Despite Robinson's denial, reports suggest that he is facing significant pressure from within the Republican Party to withdraw from the race.
Sources speaking to the Carolina Journal on condition of anonymity revealed that Robinson is under pressure from his staff and members of the Trump campaign to step down due to the nature of the story.
The Washington Post corroborated these reports, indicating that Republican officials, including some working on behalf of Trump's presidential campaign, were urging Robinson to withdraw from the race. This pressure comes at a critical time, as the deadline to withdraw from the ballot was Thursday, September 18, and absentee ballots are set to be mailed out beginning Friday, September 19.
The timing of the CNN story's release, reportedly on the eve of mail-in ballots being sent out, has raised questions about its potential impact on the race. Robinson is currently competing against Democrat gubernatorial nominee Attorney General Josh Stein in the general election.
The North Carolina gubernatorial race has been thrown into turmoil with reports of pressure on Republican nominee Mark Robinson to drop out. A forthcoming CNN story, with conflicting reports about its content, has led to calls for Robinson's withdrawal from the race. Robinson has denied all allegations and vowed to defend himself, but the pressure continues to mount as the ballot deadline approaches and mail-in voting is set to begin.
