GOP Nominee For N.C. Governor, Mark Robinson, Called Beyonce ‘Satanic,’ LGBTQ People ‘Filth’

On Tuesday night, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), a controversial figure known for his inflammatory remarks and staunch opposition to abortion rights, emerged victorious in the state’s Republican nomination for governor.

Robinson, the first black lieutenant governor in North Carolina’s history, is set to face off against North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein (D), in what promises to be a closely contested race in November. Both candidates are vying to succeed the current Democratic governor, Roy Cooper.

Robinson’s political career gained traction after an impassioned speech on gun laws he delivered to his local council in 2018 went viral, in which he presented himself as a representative of average Americans who feel targeted and endangered by attempts to restrict firearm access. Robinson’s speech propelled him into the spotlight and he subsequently became a conservative commentator, secured a position on the National Rifle Association board, and effectively leveraged his newfound prominence to secure the lieutenant governorship.

A Robinson victory would consolidate Republican’s control over North Carolina’s legislature and enable them to shape policymaking in this crucial battleground state. Key issues such as abortion rights would hang in the balance, as Robinson has made it clear that he is determined to protect the unborn from conception onward. He recently stated his commitment to further restricting access to abortion, “We got it down to 12 weeks…The next goal is to get it down to six, and then just keep moving from there.”

Robinson has drawn criticism for his conspiracy theories, such as Covid-19 as a “globalist” plot to undermine Donald Trump.

His disrespectful remarks about the LGBTQ community in debates on sex education have been widely condemned, as he has referred to transgender and homosexual individuals as “filth,” equivalent to “what the cows leave behind,” as well as “maggots” and “flies.” He has made further inflammatory comments that transgender women should be arrested if they use women’s restrooms.

This history of provocative statements extends to cultural and racial issues as well. Robinson made derogatory comments about the movie Black Panther, attributed its creation to an “agnostic Jew” and labeled it a product of “satanic Marxism.” His use of offensive language targeting African Americans and Jews has caused significant controversy.

He once called Beyonce‘s music “satanic” and Jay-Z “demonic.”

In 2014, Robinson quoted Hitler on Facebook in a statement about racial pride. In July, he defended this post, “Because you quoted Hitler, you support Hitler… I guess every history book in America supports Hitler now. They all quote him.”

Stein offers a stark contrast in both policy and demeanor. If elected, Stein would become North Carolina’s first Jewish governor. On the other hand, Robinson would make history as the state’s first black governor.

Although Republicans presently hold control over the state legislature, Democrats have enjoyed relative success in gubernatorial elections in North Carolina, prevailing in all but one race since 1992.

North Carolina Republicans have been at the forefront of proposing anti-trans legislation, which has been subject to Cooper’s veto.