The North Carolina Republican Party is facing turmoil as a potentially damaging news story regarding Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson looms. Sources have revealed that Robinson is under pressure to withdraw from the governor’s race due to alleged activity on adult websites in the 2000s. Despite the pressure, Robinson has resisted withdrawing and denies the story. The deadline to remove his name from the ballot has passed, with just four weeks until early voting begins.
The news story is expected to air on CNN and a local Raleigh news outlet. Leaders in the Trump campaign have privately told Robinson he is not welcome at rallies, and his office announced he tested positive for COVID before a planned appearance with vice presidential candidate JD Vance. If Robinson does decide to withdraw, the North Carolina Republican Party Executive Committee would have to choose a replacement candidate. However, changing the name on the ballot may run afoul of state law.
Elections expert Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation’s Civitas Center for Public Integrity explained that votes for Robinson on Election Day would go to the replacement candidate chosen by the NCGOP. The challenge for the NCGOP is that, under state law, no one who ran in the primary for this race would be eligible to replace Robinson. Robinson won the Republican primary in March against NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell and businessman Bill Graham. The situation remains uncertain as the deadline to withdraw from the race approaches, leaving Republicans in a state of anticipation and confusion.
Source
Photo credit www.carolinajournal.com