Democrat Josh Stein emerged victorious in the North Carolina governor’s race on Tuesday, defeating Republican Mark Robinson, whose campaign was mired in controversy. The win marks a significant milestone, as Stein will become the first Jewish governor of North Carolina.
Robinson, the state’s lieutenant governor, faced a barrage of accusations stemming from a CNN report alleging offensive remarks and online posts, including a claim that he called himself a “Black Nazi” on a pornographic website. While Robinson denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN, the scandal significantly damaged his campaign.
The controversy surrounding Robinson extended beyond the CNN report. He had a history of inflammatory comments, referring to homosexuality and transgenderism as “filth” and questioning the Holocaust in online posts. While he defended the “filth” comment, he offered an apology for the “wording” of his antisemitic posts.
Robinson’s campaign was further complicated by endorsements from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who initially praised him as “Martin Luther King on steroids.” However, Trump’s campaign distanced itself after the scandal broke in September. Some Republicans had expressed concerns that Robinson’s candidacy could hurt Trump’s chances of winning the state, which is considered a battleground in the 2024 presidential election.
Stein, the state’s attorney general, has outlined his priorities for his governorship, including supporting the recovery efforts in the western part of North Carolina after Hurricane Helene devastated the region in September. He also plans to invest more in public education. However, like his Democratic predecessor, Roy Cooper, Stein is likely to face a Republican-controlled legislature, potentially limiting his ability to enact his policy agenda.
The North Carolina governor’s race provides a glimpse into the complexities of the 2024 US presidential election. The state is one of seven key battlegrounds where the outcome could determine the presidency, adding further weight to the significance of this gubernatorial race.
