Mark Robinson: Another Complication in a Consistently Turbulent 2024 Presidential Election

This piece is part of a series of articles produced in a special topics class taught by Professor of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought Lawrence Douglas on the upcoming election. Articles may have been reviewed by Douglas as well as other members of the class prior to submission to The Student.

How does a politician’s personal scandal extend beyond themselves? A deeper look into politician Mark Robinson’s disgraceful actions can help answer that question. The Mark Robinson scandal that occurred in September sent shocks through the political world. The story may have come and gone, but its impact will reverberate until the end of election season. The Robinson scandal can only hurt the Trump campaign, while giving an open opportunity for Harris to garner some more votes.

Mark Robinson has been in politics since 2021, when he was first elected as lieutenant governor of North Carolina, a position he assumed after gaining popularity for giving a Greensboro City Council address defending the Second Amendment right to bear arms. He will be lieutenant general until Jan. 1, 2025. Robinson’s duties as lieutenant governor include presiding over North Carolina’s state senate, being a member of the governor’s board, breaking ties in votes, and acting as governor when the true governor is away. Robinson is also a candidate in North Carolina’s gubernatorial race in 2025.

However, lieutenant governor is likely to be his first and last position, as his political career is set to sink. Scandal erupted for Robinson in mid-September when it was revealed to the media that Robinson had some rather polarizing things to say on a pornography website. His words included that women should keep their skirts down, that he is pro-slavery, a Black Nazi, and a “perv.” Take politics out of it; those are disgusting things to say. Whether it be from a seasoned politician, a first-timer, or frankly anyone with an ounce of common sense and awareness, it is obvious that Robinson’s actions are inexcusable. Not only does it stain the Robinson name, but also the Republican name. In fact, Trump scrambled to immediately cut ties with Robinson, while Harris used the Republican scandal as new ammo for her campaign. Therefore, there are bigger problems to worry about than the North Carolina governor race: How will this scandal impact the 2024 election?

As a swing state, North Carolina is a key focus of the election, and Robinson’s link to the North Carolina Republican Party could have significant impacts. In August, before the scandal hit, Trump was ahead in the polls in North Carolina, with Harris drawing even this September. This trend has continued, with the current North Carolina poll average, according to The New York Times, sitting tied at 48% Trump, 48% Harris.

North Carolina has been voting Republican since 2008, but Robinson’s scandal could hurt Trump and help Harris in North Carolina. This is evidenced by the fact that Trump has distanced himself from Robinson — at a rally shortly after the scandal dropped, CNN reported that Trump dodged questions regarding Robinson — and that the Harris campaign is trying to use the story as ammo. As the Trump campaign scrambles to separate the Robinson and Trump names, the Harris campaign is doing the opposite. In fact, The New York Times reported that the Harris campaign just spent $8 million on a TV ad campaign airing across North Carolina linking Trump and Robinson. The ad features clips of Trump saying that Robinson is “an unbelievable lieutenant governor” and “better than Martin Luther King,” before a clip of Robinson saying that women who get abortions are to blame since they “weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.” The ad ends with a strong message: “Donald Trump and Mark Robinson: They’re both wrong for North Carolina.” The ad’s message will surely have some voters rethinking their ballot. Most importantly, for already on-the-fence Republicans — ones who affiliate themselves with the Republican party but not Trump — this new stab to their state’s Republican politician’s reputation could be the last straw that convinces them to vote against their party and for Kamala.

The Robinson scandal has certainly threatened Trump’s standing in North Carolina, while giving Harris an opportunity to pull in some more of the state’s votes. But only Election Day in November will say for sure.