Competency vs. Chaos: This Week, Josh Stein Rallies Voters Across NC While Robinson Campaign Flails
This week, Attorney General and Democratic nominee for Governor Josh Stein traveled the state meeting with voters, listening to their concerns and priorities for the state’s future, and encouraging people to exercise their right to vote.
Stein traveled to Rocky Mount and held “Real Time with Stein” stops in Onslow, New Hanover, and Robeson Counties, where he met with voters and shared his campaign’s fundamental vision: “protecting personal freedoms, which includes having a healthier economy, safe neighborhoods, and strong public schools with well-paid teachers.” He also emphasized his determination to reach every North Carolina voter, saying that the “issues are not Democratic issues. They’re not Republican issues. They are North Carolina issues — and there is a place in this campaign for everyone, no matter what your party affiliation is.”
Stein also joined the Teamsters and the NAACP for their state conferences this week. At the Teamsters conference, he highlighted his support for North Carolina’s workers as Attorney General. At the NAACP state conference, Stein highlighted the organization’s long legacy of advocacy in North Carolina, saying, “We must empower our communities and engage North Carolinians of every background to turn out the vote.”
As Stein has continued to rally voters and share a forward-looking vision for North Carolina’s future, Robinson has remained engulfed in controversy following CNN’s reporting on his previous online activity. Republican Governors Brian Kemp (GA), Bill Lee (TN) Henry McMaster (SC), and Glenn Youngkin (VA) have all withdrawn their endorsements of his candidacy. The majority of Robinson’s campaign staff, as well as his state office, have resigned, and Republican Senator Thom Tillis said that “we must stay focused on the races we can win.” Even as Republicans call for him to prove he wasn’t responsible for antisemitic, racist, and sexist posts on the platform Nude Africa, Robinson has “rejected multiple offers from supporters to connect him with information technology specialists to help the Republican gubernatorial nominee investigate.”
Even those who are not speaking out against Robinson’s harmful rhetoric are seeking to distance themselves from him. This week, CNN reported multiple examples of Republicans running for statewide office “deleting photos of themselves side by side with the embattled Republican nominee for governor and removing any reference to his endorsement from their campaign materials.” Former President Trump was asked to comment and said “I don’t know the situation” – but knew enough to appear in North Carolina twice since CNN’s report without inviting or mentioning his longtime friend Mark Robinson. Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, when asked to comment on Robinson’s online activity, said, “I don’t not believe him. I don’t believe him.”
“While North Carolina Republicans scramble to cover up their history of supporting Robinson, it is important to remember that they supported his mocking of school shooting victims, domestic violence survivors, and teachers up until this past week,” said Morgan Hopkins, a spokesperson for the campaign. “They embraced him even after he said that women have abortions “because they can’t keep their skirts down” and that “some folks need killing.” Meanwhile, Josh Stein has remained focused on delivering for the people of North Carolina and sharing a positive, forward-looking vision for the state. Voters can tell the difference.”
