GOP fears 'torrent of negative headlines' over NC gov candidate could cost them the state

Two statewide races that North Carolina residents will be paying very close attention to between now and November are the presidential race and a gubernatorial race that finds Democrat Josh Stein up against far-right MAGA Republican Mark Robinson.

Democratic strategists see North Carolina as the Republican state that Vice President Kamala Harris has the best shot at flipping. President Joe Biden narrowly lost North Carolina to Trump in 2020, and polls are showing the 2024 presidential race to be quite close in the Tar Heel State.

Democrats hope that because the Trump-supported Robinson is so controversial, it will benefit Harris. And according to The Hill's Jared Gans, Republicans are growing increasingly worried about Robinson's campaign.

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"Republicans in North Carolina are facing worrying signs in the governor's race amid a torrent of negative headlines surrounding their candidate, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson," Gans explains. "Most polls in recent months have shown Democrat Josh Stein, the state's attorney general, leading Robinson, an ally of former President Trump who has drawn criticism for his past rhetoric on everything from abortion to the civil rights movement."

Gans adds, "Some Republicans fear Robinson's controversial persona could cost them the governor's mansion — and the challenge will be even tougher for him as Vice President Harris has seemingly made inroads in the state as well."

GOP strategist Douglas Heye told The Hill that Robinson's controversies have become "the dominant feature of the race."

But Democrat Aimy Steele, who heads the New North Carolina Project, cautions members of her party against becoming overconfident about Stein.

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North Carolina Democrat Gabe Esparza believes that the Harris and Stein campaigns can help one another — that is, Harris can help Stein defeat Robinson, and Stein can help Harris defeat Trump.

Esparza told The Hill, "I think you saw that increase in attention not only demonstrating the belief that North Carolina could indeed not only be in play, but be realistically winnable. But it is also an opportunity for Josh and Democratic candidates down the ballot to benefit from that enthusiasm."

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Read The Hill's full report at this link.