Mark Robinson Makes North Carolina Less Safe

North Carolinians won’t be fooled by Mark Robinson’s press stunt today. His long and well-reported history of promoting violence and stoking division proves just how unsafe he will make North Carolina. 

• Earlier this summer, Mark Robinson said, “Some folks need killing! It’s time for somebody to say it. It’s not a matter of vengeance. It’s not a matter of being mean or spiteful. It’s a matter of necessity!” 
• Also this year, Robinson advocated for resisting the FBI when they come to your home, saying, “Folks, it’s time to stand up and fight.” 
• Robinson asked on Facebook, “I have no intention of doing such, but if I beat up a woman police officer will I get charged with assault on an officer AND assault on a female? #justwondering.”
• Robinson has said that he owns an AR-15 “in case the government gets too big for its britches.” 
• Robinson said that God calls him to “go into battle and take the head of your enemy,” and used violent rhetoric against members of his own party, saying Jesus would deliver “vengeance” against his “enemies.” 
• He has also previously criticized Attorney General Stein’s efforts to hold drug companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.
• Robinson downplayed domestic violence and asked on Facebook, “So if someone beats the bird dog hell out of their spouse at the mall…is it still ‘Domestic Violence?’”
• He defended rapists like Harvey Weinstein, saying they were “sacrificial lambs” being “slaughtered.”  
• While Robinson has a long record of promoting violence, he has no accomplishments as Lieutenant Governor that have made North Carolina safer. 

“Actions prove what words cannot,” said Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather. “There’s one candidate for Governor who has a history of standing up for victims of crime and families, a proven record of supporting law enforcement officers, and a reputation for the kind of responsible leadership in public safety worthy of our state. And that’s Josh Stein.”

“Mark Robinson’s press conference today is too little, too late,” said Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough. “He may talk the talk when it comes to public safety, but he has yet to answer for his long history of promoting division and making law enforcement jobs more difficult – he can’t be trusted to lead our state.”

“If Mark Robinson wanted to make our communities more safe he wouldn’t be encouraging his supporters to fight law enforcement or spreading violent rhetoric,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “North Carolinians will see through today’s stunt and vote for the candidate who has dedicated his career to making North Carolina safer: Attorney General Josh Stein.” 

As Attorney General, Josh Stein has worked with law enforcement and legislators across the aisle to clear the backlog of rape kits, and he has urged more funding for law enforcement by championing recruitment and retention strategies to address widespread vacancies in local police departments and sheriff’s offices. He worked with the legislature to strengthen North Carolina’s laws protecting kids from child sex abuse. As the state’s top law enforcement officer, Stein has cracked down on the fentanyl crisis and implemented advanced officer trainings and certifications. He and his team have successfully prosecuted murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, and child sex abusers.