CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson are facing off in the nationally-watched race to become the next North Carolina governor.
In November, one of them will land the critical swing state's top job. But, the two state leaders have expressed dramatically different political views.
Current Governor Roy Cooper isn’t running this time because he is term-limited under the North Carolina State Constitution. Governors and lieutenant governors are elected every four years, with a two-term limit.
The incumbent governor has already endorsed Stein.
Robinson had a big endorsement, as well: Former President Donald Trump. However, Trump has worked to publicly distance himself from Robinson following a the release of a CNN report that detailed comments Robinson allegedly made on a pornography website in 2008 and 2012.
The report sparked pressure for Robinson to withdraw from the race but he refused to do so. The deadline has now passed for candidates to withdraw.
Robinson posted a video on X, just before the story aired in September, claiming it was "outrageous lies" from Josh Stein's campaign. He continues to deny writing the posts, which contain racist and sexually explicit content.
The denials did not stop several of his staff members from resigning.
His decision to keep campaigning might threaten GOP outcomes in other key races in North Carolina, including Trump's efforts to beat Vice President Kamala Harris in the battleground state.
Trump has won North Carolina twice.
