NASH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Why gubernatorial candidate and current North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson doesn’t seem to have much to say about his main opponent and the subject he once sat down to during this week’s rally. talked about.
The event was held at Factory 633. A Rocky Mount event venue received media attention last year for refusing service to a lesbian couple. In audio of the speech obtained by FOX8, Robinson acknowledged that while the crowd wasn’t large, it was a “good crowd,” especially for a Wednesday night.
He spoke primarily about his belief that North Carolina’s future is in the hands of the people, not politicians, and that North Carolina is economically successful because of Republican policies.He also talked about reforming the education system.
Notably, however, critics noted that Robinson has clearly refrained from speaking as openly and passionately as he has in the past about some of the issues that launched him into politics. fought back against them.
Near the end of his speech, he explained that he did not feel the need to repeat his position on the issues he had already spoken about and referred to legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly regarding: transgender athlete, abortion and Themes of instruction in public schools Despite the governor’s veto.
“You haven’t heard me mention social issues, but I don’t want you to be disappointed. “For some reason, Mark Robinson has softened and is afraid to address social issues. ” I am already working on social issues.
I’ve already told people how I feel about men competing with women in sports. Congress has already spoken on the issue.
We’ve already told people how we feel about life. He brought it up eight weeks and shortened it to 12 weeks.
We’ve already told people how we feel about this abominable porn, this abominable porn that we tried to show our kids at school.
We have already told them. I’m not going to spend much time talking about it. ”
Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson
This is reminiscent of the pattern some commentators have noted in the Robinson camp. He left behind his tendency to argue loudly He supported hard-line positions, such as a complete ban on abortion, and dismissed questions about it.
Robinson has long faced criticism, but promoting conspiracy theories on social mediaduring the months he spent campaigning, some aspects of him disappeared. seeks to distance itself from long-standing accusations of anti-Semitismalso traveled to Israel after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, expressing full support for the state of Israel.
Voting for the March primary begins on February 15th, and Robinson is competing with current North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Falwell and the lawyer who spent millions of his own money to run in the Republican primary. He is competing in the primary with Bill Graham.
Robinson described Falwell as an “all right guy” and “a great treasurer,” but had more to say about Graham.
Expecting someone from Mr. Graham’s campaign to be in the audience, he shamed Mr. Graham for filing “500 lawsuits against North Carolina farmers.”This is a reference to Federal lawsuit against Smithfield on behalf of people living near hog farms Graham worked as a trial lawyer. Robinson blasted Graham over the incident, branding him an enemy of North Carolina farmers and saying, “He attacked the facility for no reason other than to line his own pockets.”
“You already know I don’t talk bad about my major opponents,” Robinson said. “As Andy Griffith would say, I let them pass me by like a snail. But when I think about this guy, it makes me angry.”
He criticized Graham for an ad accusing Robinson of anti-Semitism.
“But where do you think Mark Robinson was a month after Israel was attacked? Standing with the people of Israel in Israel. Actions speak louder than words. Standing with the people of Israel in Israel “That’s more eloquent than lying and suing a pig farmer,” he said.
Robinson concluded by thanking the crowd, which he said was “not huge…but we don’t need huge crowds. We need people here who really believe.”
He then said he believed both he and former President Donald Trump would win.
Robinson’s next notable stop will be Naples, Florida.According to Business North Carolina, It was reported that Papa John’s founder John Schnatter will hold a fundraiser for Robinson on February 19th.
Falwell highlighted public opinion polls on his social media channels about his main opponent. north carolina state legislature That put him above Robinson and even earned him support from one of the few Memorable Republican Governors of North Carolina and John Locke Foundation Freedom Congress Poll.
Graham has been on the offensive against Robinson, airing ads criticizing Robinson’s past comments. Jewish people and woman.