Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Jimmy Williams
In a significant shake-up, four top staff members of Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina stepped down on Sunday, as the Republican candidate faces mounting pressure from within his own party to do the same. The resignations follow a CNN report alleging that Robinson made antisemitic and racist comments years ago on a porn website, though the campaign did not confirm if the staff departures were related to the accusations.
The campaign confirmed the departure of Chris Rodriguez, campaign manager; Heather Whillier, finance director; Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager; and Conrad Pogorzelski III, general consultant and senior adviser. While the campaign did not provide specific reasons for the resignations, Robinson expressed his gratitude for their service.
“I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors,” Robinson said in a statement. He assured supporters that the campaign remains strong, adding, “I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days.”
Robinson, currently serving as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, has categorically denied the allegations detailed in the CNN report and vowed to continue his campaign. Despite calls from some Republican lawmakers for him to step down, Robinson remains determined to stay in the race.
Republican Concerns and Democratic Response
While some Republicans have expressed concerns over the accusations, the North Carolina Republican Party issued a statement backing Robinson, noting that he “has categorically denied the allegations.” Meanwhile, Democrats have sought to tie Robinson more closely to former President Donald Trump, who previously endorsed Robinson in the race.
In response, Democrats have released advertisements highlighting Trump’s praise of Robinson, aiming to bolster their case to flip North Carolina in the 2024 presidential race. Trump won North Carolina by a narrow margin in 2020, and polls show the state is likely to be a crucial battleground again in the upcoming election.
Trump has continued to stand by Robinson, and his campaign team confirmed that he has no plans to withdraw his endorsement. Meanwhile, Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, acknowledged the significance of North Carolina in the presidential race, saying it would be “very hard” for the ticket to win without the state’s electoral votes.
With the election date of November 5 fast approaching, Robinson remains defiant, asserting that his campaign is well-positioned to appeal to voters despite the controversy. However, the staff departures represent a critical juncture for the campaign as Robinson prepares for the final stretch of the race amid intensified scrutiny.
