Mark Robinson wins the Republican primary for governor of North Carolina

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson defeated his two challengers in the Republican primary for the governor’s race on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. His victory proved that his roaring, Trump-centric style is favored by conservatives preparing for what will likely be the most expensive and contentious statewide race.

Mr. Robinson had consistently maintained a significant lead over his opponents, Dale Folwell, the state treasurer, and Bill Graham, a personal injury and wrongful death attorney. Now he will face Josh Stein, the Democratic attorney general, whose policies mirror those of Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat who is popular but term-limited.

Mr. Robinson’s appointment marked another success in what has been a remarkable rise for the lieutenant governor: In 2018, he worked in furniture manufacturing. A year later, after gaining national attention in conservative circles with a video criticizing gun control at a public rally in Greensboro, he entered the race for lieutenant governor.

Now, four years after being elected as a statewide political firebrand and upstart, Mr. Robinson is barreling toward the executive mansion in Raleigh with a brand of conservatism that focuses on culture war issues, testing how far right the North -Caroijnen are prepared to go. in their purple state.

Mr. Robinson has characterized the civil rights movement as a communist and socialist plot to “undermine capitalism,” promised to arrest transgender women using women’s restrooms and said Christians are “called to be led by men.” He has disparaged the LGBTQ community, made comments widely seen as anti-Semitic and called for discussions of racism to be limited in public schools.

Mr. Robinson’s rhetoric will focus attention on North Carolina, which many say is crucial to winning the presidency.

Democratic leaders in the state hope Mr. Robinson’s controversial comments will drive Democrats to the polls and help them win over swing voters. But some Republican strategists believe Mr. Robinson’s personality will energize the base and boost their own turnout.

Mr. Robinson supports a so-called heartbeat law, which would ban abortion after about five or six weeks of pregnancy; such a ban would go further than current state law, which restricts abortion after 12 weeks. His campaign spokesman said Mr. Robinson supports exceptions for rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger, but he gave no details.