Mark Robinson, Republican candidate for governor, had just delivered a fiery address to about 100 people gathered on a grassy square in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains when he added an important warning.

Robinson, speaking at a rally early in September, said that “winning this election in the November will not be easy for anyone of us.” “Not one Republican.”

CNN reported on Thursday that Robinson made “a series inflammatory comments” over a decade earlier, allegedly on a message board of a pornography site. The posts ranged from supporting the reinstitution of slavery to calling him a “black Nazi!”

Robinson denies that he is the author of the messages.

The current lieutenant-governor has a reputation of making controversial statements. He mocked school shooting victims, and endorsed antisemitic conspiracies.

Robinson was in complete lockstep with the leader of his party, former President Donald Trump. Both appeared together at multiple events in North Carolina, and they endorsed each other’s campaigns.

Before the news broke, USA TODAY reported that several Tar Heel State residents told USA TODAY that they were committed Trump and planned to vote straight Republican for the remainder of their ballot.

In the wake of this latest scandal Robinson may be left on his own to face a difficult race in 2024 that could have serious consequences for Republicans at all levels.

Robinson’s support drops

Robinson’s campaign had already suffered a setback in popularity heading into September when multiple polls indicated that he was trailing his opponent Josh Stein, North Carolina Attorney-General, by double figures.

Robinson’s numbers were also lower than Trump’s despite sharing the same stage and a large part of the GOP base.

According to a survey conducted by Emerson College Polling in conjunction with The Hill, Trump has a 1-point lead over Kamala Harris, the Vice President of North Carolina.

In a statement released last Tuesday, Robinson’s campaign stated that they were not worried: “Polls consistently underestimated Republican Support in North Carolina since several cycles,” said Mike Lonergan. “Mark Robinson is in a good position to win the November election.”

Lonergan has not responded to a second request for comment made since the Thursday report.

Matthew Pearl, 37 years old, moved to North Carolina in 2012 and told USA Today earlier this month that the race for governor was not something he had paid attention to. Pearl, a registered Republican who planned to vote for Trump at the time, said he’d probably vote for Robinson, a fellow GOP member.

Pearl says that after reading CNN’s article, this is no longer true.

Pearl, who lives just west of Charlotte in North Carolina, said, “It was disgusting.” It was mind-blowing to see… There’s negative things everyone has but that stuff makes you look like a bad human being.

Pearl has said that he doesn’t believe Robinson’s denials. He’s started looking into Stein, Robinson’s opponent. However, he’s still making his decision.

He said: “I’ll tell it to you straight up, I know I won’t vote for Mark Robinson.”

Tar Heel State residents have mixed reviews

Christina Osterbind, manning an unassuming booth with Trump merchandise in a crowded midway filled with colorful carnival rides and deep-fried food stands at the 10 day North Carolina Mountain State Fair held earlier this month in Asheville, was working a modestly-sized booth with Trump merchandise.

Osterbind, a 46-year-old Virginia resident, told Fairgoers that she talked politics with fairgoers while out selling. She said that many people also talked about the governors’ race.

Did people in the area support Robinson just as much as Trump before news of his death?

She replied, “Yes and No.”

Osterbind went on to say, “It was a mixed reaction.” “A lot don’t like him. They like him. Many of his opinions are popular. “But there are some things with which they disagree.”

Kenny Hollifield (52), who hasn’t decided yet on the race for president, said that at this time, he is leaning towards Trump.

Hollifield is a project manager for construction in Marion, North Carolina. The town is located on the edge mountains.

Hollifield, however, is more definite when it comes to his choice for governor: “Definitely not Mark Robinson,” said he. “Too fanatical.”

Hollifield said that Hollifield was “just too radical” for him, particularly on the issue of guns. He added that he planned to vote for Stein in this election.

Robinson rose to fame for his passionate defense of gun rights in 2018 at a Greensboro City Council Meeting. In 2020, he entered politics and became the first Black lieutenant-governor in North Carolina.

Robinson’s scandal continues to have a negative impact

Trump, who referred to Robinson once as “Martin Luther King boosted up,” seems to be creating a distance between himself and Robinson.

Trump did not mention Robinson at a rally held in Wilmington on Saturday. Robinson’s first public appearance was made in Fayetteville 100 miles away on the same day.

Robinson’s endorsement by the former president is not going away. NBC News reported that he does not plan to do so, despite the calls of allies and advisors.

Bill Lee, the Tennessee governor, is among those who have withdrawn their support. Bill Lee. Bill Lee, chair of the Republican Governors Association was to host this week a $500 per-ticket fundraiser in Greensboro North Carolina. However, his office confirmed on Friday that the event, and Lee’s attendance, were cancelled.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will also “not offer further support to Robinson’s campaign”, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Monday.

Since the scandal broke, several staff members have quit. The campaign announced on Sunday that Conrad Pogorzelski was the top adviser, Chris Rodriguez was the campaign manager, Heather Whillier, who is in charge of finance, and Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager, had all resigned.

Cook Political Report changed their rating for North Carolina’s gubernatorial election to “likely Democrat”, immediately after CNN broke the news.

White House stakes are large in North Carolina

During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina described the allegations against Robinson as “unnerving”.

Graham said, “If these allegations are true, then he is unfit to hold office.” “If they are not true, he is unfit to serve in office,” Graham said.