Updated as of 7:46 p.m. on Nov. 3 to include video.
With the 2024 general election less than two days away, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson held a rally at the Ace Speedway in Elon to push supporters to vote Republican down the ballot on Nov. 5.
“The people are tired of this,” Robinson said during a post-event press conference. “They are tired of the brokenness, and they're tired of the status quo, and they're tired of sticker book politicians like Josh Stein.”
Robinson announced his gubernatorial bid in the same location just a year and a half earlier.
Despite the majority of the attendees stating that they voted early, Robinson and other Republican candidates in races across North Carolina — including Bryan Ray, Chad Brown and Michele Morrow — encouraged attendees to tell others to vote Republican.
“You've got to call your friends, you've got to tell your family, you need to go out and you need to vote Republican for the entire ticket,” Morrow said during the event. “If we lose this on Tuesday, we won't have another election in four years for a president.”
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson poses for a photo with Republican candidate for North Carolina Secretary of State Chad Brown.
Robison, who is currently polling behind Stein by 21 points according to an Elon University Poll, also addressed CNN’s report which alleged that Robinson made offensive remarks on a pornography website’s message board between 2008 and 2012.
According to the report, Robinson expressed support for reinstating slavery, referred to himself as a “black NAZI!” and a “perv” and made many sexually offensive comments – which Robinson denied.
During the rally, Robinson asked attendees and the people of North Carolina to examine him and what he and the Republican party has done for the state.
“I've been completely open, open and honest about who I am and about the journey that I've been on,” Robinson said. “You cannot say that about CNN. They have time and time again tried to besmirch the former president, and now they're trying to besmirch me, and it's usually with things that are either half true or in this case, completely false.”
Following the release of the report, Robinson is now suing CNN for defamation and said he plans to continue with the lawsuit after the election is over.
The other Republican candidates and guests who were present also vouched for Robinson’s character during the event.
“I've never seen one time when I've heard Mark say, ‘Chad, it's about me. It's about what's going on with me.’” Brown said. “That man texted me this morning. He texted me yesterday. He texts me about every day, and we talk about not giving up.”
Lawyer Seth Woodall, who ran for lieutenant governor of North Carolina in March 2024 but lost in the Republican primary, praised Robinson for his help in western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“Do you guys realize that he was the only one when the folks in western North Carolina got tragically hit by that horrific storm?” Woodall said. “He was there on Saturday morning, Mark was out in the field.”
Rally attendees gather to hear Lt. Gov. and 2024 gubernatorial, Republican candidate Mark Robinson at Ace Speedway on Nov. 3.
Attendees also praised Robinson’s character, policies and response to Hurricane relief.
Roxanne Wetzel, who has been a supporter of Robinson’s since 2019, said she appreciates Robinson’s faith and his support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“He has been consistent in his beliefs and standing on the word of God,” Wetzel told Elon News Network. “Every time he speaks, he evokes the word of God. We are from the hurricane damage area, and he was boots on the ground at our church Saturday morning as a hurricane was still going on and he was instrumental in sending help to western North Carolina.”
Attendee Louis Gary said he is ready for Gov. Roy Cooper to be out of office and he thinks Robinson will be a good governor for North Carolina.
“I'm tired of Cooper being in there,” Gary said. “He's a good candidate. It seems like he has integrity, and I believe what he says. It's not really one thing I can narrow down.”
Robinson said he is prepared to accept the results of the election regardless of the outcome.
“We're prepared to accept the results of the election,” Robinson said. “Win or lose. And if it's a draw, we're ready to work it out however we can work it out legally.”
Fiona McAllister contributed to the reporting of this story.
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