Mark Robinson vows to go after CNN ‘full throttle’ in first campaign appearance since explicit allegations – Washington Examiner
North Carolina’s Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for the gubernatorial race, recently held his first campaign appearance since allegations surfaced accusing him of making inappropriate comments on a pornographic website. Speaking in Wilkesboro, Robinson announced plans to pursue legal action against CNN for their report on these allegations, stating that his campaign is going after the news outlet “full throttle.” This comes on the heels of eight staff resignations from his campaign, which Robinson indicated are part of efforts to rebuild his team as they receive numerous resumes. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in forming a new team capable of leading him to victory. The Republican Governors Association confirmed that they have no further plans for financial support for Robinson’s campaign as the election approaches.
Mark Robinson vows to go after CNN ‘full throttle’ in first campaign appearance since explicit allegations
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee in the state’s gubernatorial race, made his first campaign appearance Monday since a report was released alleging he made offensive and salacious comments on a pornographic website.
While speaking to a group in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Robinson claimed his team would be pursuing “legal counsel” against CNN, which published the report. He boldly told reporters he’d come after the outlet “full throttle.”
“We are in talks right now. Everything up to legal counsel to take CNN to task for what they have done to us. We are going after them. We are going to go after them for what they’ve done,” Robinson said Monday, speaking publicly for the first time since many of his top aides stepped down following the report.
Robinson also made multiple comments about rebuilding his staff, saying his team is “getting resumes from all over.”
“We’re right in the process right now of forming a team that we know can still lead us to victory, so we have full confidence in our ability to keep going,” Robinson said.
On Sunday, Robinson’s campaign released a press statement announcing eight of his staffers had resigned. Only four were named, including campaign manager Christopher Rodriguez, deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk, general consultant Conrad Pogorzelski III, and finance director Heather Whillier.
Pogorzelski told the National Review via text messages that the other aides who resigned were deputy finance director Caroline Winchester, political director John Kontoulas, political director Jackson Lohrer and director of operations Patrick Riley.
During the mass exodus of Robinson’s team, a spokeswoman for the Republican Governors Association told the outlet there were no plans to provide additional spending on Robinson’s behalf throughout the remaining 43 days of the election.
“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,” said Courtney Alexander, RGA communications director. “RGA remains committed to electing Republican Governors all across the country.”
RGA’s decision followed CNN’s report that Robinson left graphic and offensive comments on a pornography website over a decade ago, with him allegedly having written, “I’m a black nazi,” as well as other sexual and racial comments.
Robinson has denied the comments and expressed frustration that reporters are choosing to focus on them rather than his campaign.
“Think about what’s going on on our border. Think about what is going on on the world stage, and this is what you choose to focus on?” Robinson said to reporters Monday. “You’ve got these news cameras, news reporters, pens and pencils, your microphones — this is what you’re focused on? You’re not focused on the things we talked about, standing up there about our economy? You’re not focused on these things. I am.”
Polls reflect a significant lead for North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Stein is 9.5 percentage points ahead of Robinson, according to RealClearPolitics’s average.
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