In a historic outcome for North Carolina, CBS News projects that Attorney General Josh Stein has defeated Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the state’s gubernatorial race, positioning him to become the first Jewish governor in North Carolina history. Stein, a Democrat and former state senator, won following a highly contentious race marked by controversy surrounding his opponent.
“Tonight, the people of North Carolina resoundingly embraced a vision,” Stein said in his victory speech on Tuesday night. “We chose hope over hate, competence over chaos, decency over division. That’s who we are as North Carolinians.”
Throughout the campaign, Robinson, a rising figure in Republican circles, faced intense scrutiny over a series of inflammatory comments he had made on social media and in public statements. Known for his outspoken views on various social issues, Robinson’s remarks on topics ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to Islam and feminism generated significant backlash. His campaign was further rocked by a September CNN investigation that connected him to explicit, racist comments on a pornographic website over a decade ago. Robinson denied the allegations, dismissing the CNN report as a smear attempt, but the fallout led to a loss of campaign staff and decreased Republican support.
Robinson, who had gained national attention with a viral pro-gun rights speech, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump ahead of the primary, who dubbed him “Martin Luther King on steroids.” However, as controversies surfaced, much of the GOP distanced itself from Robinson, dampening his path to victory.
Despite North Carolina’s recent trend of Republican success in other statewide offices, Democrats have maintained a strong hold on the governor’s mansion. Stein’s victory is projected to continue that trend, succeeding term-limited Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. Stein’s win in North Carolina, a critical swing state, could also have implications for national politics, as Republicans had hoped to rally support across the ticket with Trump on the 2024 ballot. However, Robinson’s presence and controversies appear to have cast doubt on that strategy.
Stein’s victory solidifies a historic milestone for the state and highlights an electorate leaning toward stability over the divisive rhetoric that punctuated the campaign.
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