The perpetual primary candidate

Mark Robinson is going to have a hard time transitioning from primary candidate to GOP nominee

Mark Robinson is having a hard time running away from his rhetoric. Before his campaign for governor launched in earnest, Robinson made attacking LGBT+ people a central theme of his appearances. He claimed God formed him to fight immorality that includes pornography and drag shows. He said churches that fly the Rainbow flag make him sick.

Once he became a candidate for governor, he tried to tone down his rhetoric. Or at least his handlers tried to get him to tone it down. It’s not working. What he said is on the record and it’s on the record over and over and over again.

In Fayetteville this week, Robinson’s campaign booked an LGBT+ inclusive church as a campaign venue. When the leaders of the congregation found out about Robinson’s hateful rhetoric, they canceled his rally. The pastor claimed that they didn’t want to jeopardize their nonprofit status by holding a political event at the church, but the church’s website says, “As Jesus welcomed all people into his loving presence, we fully welcome and include people who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community into the life and ministries of Crossroads Church of Fayetteville.” That’s pretty much a rebuke of Robinson’s stance on the LGBT+ community.

To be such a big Christian, Robinson’s approach to marginalize communities is awfully un-Christian. I’m not claiming to an expert on the Bible, but what I remember from Sunday school is Jesus hanging out with lepers, prostitutes, and other people shunned by society. I suspect if he were around today, he would be hanging around homeless shelters and meth houses, not country clubs or mega-churches—or Mark Robinson rallies.

Robinson’s problem going forward is that he has defined himself as a brutal culture warrior, claiming, “I was not crafted to be Mr. Nicey-Nice.” He’s been wearing his divisiveness on his sleeve since before he ran for lieutenant governor. He’s a perpetual primary candidate who is going to have a very tough time becoming the GOP nominee.

Bigotry is just part of Robinson’s problem. He’s also facing corruption charges. According to a complaint by watchdog Bob Hall, Robinson’s 2020 campaign is riddled with campaign finance violations including using donations to pay off private loans. The State Board of Elections has been investigating the claims for three years. It’s about time they released some results.

On other issues, Robinson has positioned himself as the most extreme candidate. He’s said he wants to ban abortion for any reason. He opposes all gun control. He’s proclaimed himself to the right of most voters on virtually every hot-button issue that’s popped up.

I know corruption, extremism, and bigotry makes for a strong resume in a GOP primary, but it’s probably a liability among North Carolina’s rank-and-file voters. Republicans believe that Robinson will bring a host of African American voters to the GOP because he’s Black. They don’t understand how that thinking is racist or how it’s just wrong.

Most African American voters will support the candidate most closely aligned with their interests and Mark Robinson is not the one. As non-primary voters learn more about Robinson, his divisive rhetoric, and his shady dealings, they’re likely to look at other candidates. Robinson defined himself and he’s going to have a difficult time re-inventing himself as a moderate.

The smart move for the GOP would be to nominate one of the other two Republicans running, but that’s looking less likely. Endorsements are getting split. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and U.S. Senator Ted Budd are supporting Robinson. Senator Thom Tillis threw his support to attorney Bill Graham and the State Employees Association of North Carolina endorsed State Treasurer Dale Folwell. Neither Folwell or Graham has emerged as the consensus anti-Robinson candidate.

The GOP base, though, is still solidly with Robinson. They aren’t interested in somebody who makes their lives better. They just want somebody will bash the woke left. Robinson is their man and he can’t get enough of their applause.