But he said that homosexuality and transgenderism are against the tenets of my religion and have no place in public schools. [38] The Biden administration, in a White House Press Office statement, condemned Robinson's words as "repugnant and offensive" and said that a leader's role is "to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hate and undermine their own office. Conservative Robinson joins race for N. Carolina governor You can go down there and get drugged up, but at the end of the day, you're just a drugged up, dressed up, made up, cut up, man or woman. Robinson began his The tracks owners are still fighting the Cooper administration in court over its temporary closure. "Our state has been on a journey, and more than a dozen cities and counties have successfully passed protections for LGBTQ people. He is running for Governor of North Carolina in the 2024 election. It is not! Allison Scott, the director of impact and innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality, an LGBTQ advocacy group based in North Carolina, said Robinson's comments remind her of the insults the LGBTQ community regularly endured a decade ago. No one is perfect, but no one is too far gone to be saved, Robinson says. You aint changed what God put in you that DNA. "These comments are abhorrent. State law currently bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks. Among other things, he has criticized an editorial cartoon that ran on WRAL.com's opinion page comparing him and other Republican members of the State Board of Education to the Ku Klux Klan over their attempt to limit how the history of racism is taught in North Carolina social studies classes. "But if it's his will for me to be, it will be. Mark Robinson, North Carolinas Republican lieutenant governor, dismissed a call for his resignation on Friday after he was exposed on videotape calling members of (AP Photo/Bryan Anderson), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, hes fairly certain that hell run for governor in 2024. Elected the states first Black lieutenant governor in 2020 in his frst run for political office, Robinson would make similar history if he wins the governorship. Mark Keith Robinson (born August 18, 1968)[1] is an American politician serving as the 35th lieutenant governor of North Carolina since 2021. candidate's posts draw criticism", "App State's Turning Point USA brings candidate for lieutenant governor to discuss education, gun rights", "Mark Robinson's unique story guides political life", "Mark Robinson Announces Run For Lt. Robinson has made numerous controversial statements, which critics have described as anti-LGBT,[2][3][4] antisemitic,[5] and Islamophobic.[6][7]. Robinson is a former factory worker who vaulted to prominence following a gun-rights speech in Greensboro that went viral. [12] He was invited to speak at the National Rifle Association's annual convention that year. And yes I called it filth. ", He added, "He is the Lieutenant Governor for all North Carolinians and will fight for and protect the rights of all citizens. If you want to tell the truth about it, it is you who owes. [28][23] Robinson also appeared at an interview with fringe pastor Sean Moon, who claimed that he planned to become "king of the United States"; in the interview, Moon claimed that the Rothschild family was one of the "four horsemen of the apocalypse" and promoted the antisemitic conspiracy theory of a cabal of Jewish "international bankers" who rule every country's central bank. Theres no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality any of that filth, he said in a sermon at the church. LGBTQ advocates have said that views like Robinson's don't represent the majority of North Carolinians. The lieutenant governor typically doesnt speak to WRAL News, and he poked at the station a couple of times during his speech. 'Chance to be a symbol': As expected, Robinson declares bid for governor. One man yelled, Thats our next governor. It was red meat State Sen. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat representing the state's 16th District, which includes Raleigh and Durham, also called for Robinson to resign. But others have questioned whether his aggressive, conservative style and blunt comments about LGBTQ+ rights, abortion and the role of women make him the partys best choice to win a general election in a closely divided state. Susanna Birdsong, North Carolina public affairs director for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, called Robinsons abortion remarks alarming. Robinson added: And yes, I called it filth. WebIn a June 2021 speech at a Seagrove, North Carolina church, Robinson disparaged "transgenderism and homosexuality" as "filth", saying: "There's no reason anybody In a statement this weekend, Walker said he understands the desire of his supporters to nominate a Republican who can hold up under the scrutiny a candidate for governor will undergo.. Republican State Treasurer Dale Folwell also got in the race last month. Once a woman is pregnant, her body is no longer her own. Never committed a serious crime and never committed a felony. [39] Robinson compared homosexuality to cow manure, maggots, and flies, explaining that the latter all serve a purpose in God's creation; whereas, with homosexuality, Robinson remarked, "If homosexuality is of God, what purpose does it serve? Individual Republicans praised him this week for speaking out about a difficult experience. Core to Robinsons remarks, both Friday and in other speeches, is the idea that anyone can succeed in America and that racism and circumstance arent enough to hold people back. North Carolina We dont come from some weak, jelly-backed, spineless people. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Lt. Gov. I think hes honest. We don't need another politician who's spent their life climbing the political ladder.. Some state senators have taken a harder line and are demanding that Robinson resign, calling his remarks discriminatory. "However, homosexuality is STILL an abominable sin and I WILL NOT join in 'celebrating gay pride' nor will I fly their sacrilegious flag on my page. Mark Robinson, North Carolinas Republican lieutenant governor, dismissed a call for his resignation on Friday after he was exposed on videotape calling members of the LGBTQ community filth., Robinson said he stood by his homophobic comment and claimed to Raleigh NBC affiliate WRAL that right-wing speech was being demonized., We will not be intimidated. Mark Robinson is a North Carolina superstar. Mark Robinson formally entered next year's gubernatorial race at a rally Saturday, with the sharp-spoken social conservative saying North Carolina neads a leader like him who can ", Topics surrounding transgenderism and homosexuality should be discussed at home and not in public education," Waugh said. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. Robinson's comments specifically addressed LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms a topic that has recently joined other education culture wars, with more school districts banning pride symbols and flags. ", He added that "if there is a movement in this country that is demonic, and that is full of the spirit of antichrist, it is the transgender movement.". Robinson's entry was anticipated for well over a year, with the Greensboro native heavily hinting at a run in speeches and fundraising appeals. He won the Republican nomination, clearing the 30% threshold to avoid a primary runoff, defeating state senator Andy Wells, superintendent of public instruction Mark Johnson, former congresswoman Renee Ellmers, and former state representative Scott Stone. Despite Republican success in controlling the state legislature, the GOP has won the governors office just once since 1992, back in 2012.