Senior staff working for Republican Mark Robinson’s campaign for North Carolina governor have quit after a report revealed his alleged past postings on a porn website’s message board.Robinson’s campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, finance director and senior adviser all stepped down over the weekend, the campaign confirmed in a statement to US media.
Staff Quit
The furniture maker-turned-politician, who is running to be the state’s first black governor, allegedly called himself a “black Nazi” on a porn website more than a decade ago, according to a report by CNN.
Robinson, who identifies as an evangelical Christian, branded the report “tabloid lies”. The BBC has not independently verified CNN’s claims.”Let me reassure you, the things you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he said in a video statement posted to X. He has subsequently avoided talking about the story.
The departure of top campaign staff came within days of the CNN exposé of Robinson’s online postings in which he is also reported to have said he preferred Hitler to then-President Barack Obama.
The report suggests that the alleged comments have now been removed from the adult website on which they appeared.
“I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign,” Robinson said in a statement. Among those who left Robinson’s team over the weekend were key adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, who helped Robinson win election as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 2020.
Among those who left Robinson’s team over the weekend were key adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, who helped Robinson win election as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 2020.
Pogorzelski also told US news outlets in a personal capacity that the group had left of their “own accord”.
“Remaining aligned with the campaign’s values became increasingly difficult,” said one former staffer, who wished to remain anonymous. “The scandals have taken a toll, and there was no clear path forward.”
Robinson, who has remained defiant in the face of the allegations, issued a brief statement thanking his former team members for their service but declined to address the specifics of the resignations. However, political analysts believe the staff exodus will significantly weaken his chances in the upcoming election.
As Robinson’s campaign struggles to regain control, opponents have capitalized on the chaos, framing the staff departures as further evidence of an operation in disarray. Whether Robinson can salvage his campaign remains to be seen, but with election day fast approaching, time is running out.
The scandal has not only affected Robinson’s reputation but has also cast a shadow over his political future, with donors and party leaders reportedly distancing themselves from the embattled candidate. Public opinion polls have shown a sharp decline in support, making it increasingly difficult for Robinson to rebound.
The Robinson campaign has yet to announce any replacements for the departing staff, leaving questions about the future of his candidacy unanswered.
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