The News & Observer - Candidate for NC governor, Republican Mark Robinson, answers our questions

WUNC, Where do candidates for governor stand on NC's housing needs?

Economy

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WRAL News, In memoir, NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson mulls 2024 run, calls for taking science, history out of elementary schools

Lieutenant Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson on Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 218, Mandating Offshore Wind Power

Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy policy and believes it "will create more jobs and better protect the environment and consumers alike.” An all-of-above energy policy uses a variety of energy sources, including nonrenewable, renewable, and nuclear energy, to meet energy needs.

Believes global warming is “junk science.”

Opposes offshore wind power, believing it to be "unreliable, outrageously expensive, environmentally suspect, and socially irresponsible."

Opposed governor's offshore wind power plan. According to his office's press release, wind turbines are "unreliable, outrageously expensive, environmentally suspect, and socially irresponsible."

- Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy policy and believes it "will create more jobs and better protect the environment and consumers alike.” An all-of-above energy policy uses a variety of energy sources, including nonrenewable, renewable, and nuclear energy, to meet energy needs.
- Believes global warming is “junk science.”
- Opposed governor's offshore wind power plan. According to his office's press release, wind turbines are "unreliable, outrageously expensive, environmentally suspect, and socially irresponsible."

Energy & the Environment

CNN Politics - GOP front-runner for North Carolina governor supported banning abortions without exceptions. Now he avoids using the ‘a-word’

Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, with exceptions for rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother since 2024. In 2020, said, “For me, there is no compromise on abortion. It makes no difference to me why or how that child ended up in that womb.”

- Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, with exceptions for rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother since 2024. In 2020, said, “For me, there is no compromise on abortion. It makes no difference to me why or how that child ended up in that womb.”

Healthcare

As of May 21, 2024, Mark Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

News & Record - 'Our message resonated': Greensboro's Mark Robinson on his improbable rise to lieutenant governor

WUNC 91.5 - Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson talks bathrooms, suggests transgender people should go 'outside'

Said, “If you're a man on Friday night, and… on Saturday, you feel like a woman, and you want to go in the women's bathroom in the mall, you will be arrested — or whatever we got to do to you.”

- Opposes gun control legislation.
- Said, “If you're a man on Friday night, and… on Saturday, you feel like a woman, and you want to go in the women's bathroom in the mall, you will be arrested — or whatever we got to do to you.”

Public Safety

The Assembly, Mark Robinson’s Super-Secret Indoctrination Task Force

CBS 17, NC lawmaker calls on Lt. Gov. Robinson to resign over homophobic, transphobic comments

Supports school choice, including private, charter, home, or public schools, and school vouchers, which provide state funding for private schools.

Supports eliminating the State Board of Education and believes there should be “one entity” responsible for state education.

Supports prioritizing reading, writing, and math and removing social sciences like history and science from elementary schools.

As Lieutenant Governor, started a task force “to investigate the indoctrination of the state’s students.” The task force refused to comply with the Open Meetings Law, which states that public body meetings must be announced 48 hours in advance. There are also no recordings or minutes available from the task force meetings.

Said, “There’s no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth. And yes I called it filth.”

Plans to increase wages for teachers and “hold them to high standards of excellence.”

Supports boosting apprenticeship and vocational programs for career readiness.

- Supports school choice, including private, charter, home, or public schools, and school vouchers, which provide state funding for private schools.
- Supports eliminating the State Board of Education and believes there should be “one entity” responsible for state education.
- Supports prioritizing reading, writing, and math and removing social sciences like history and science from elementary schools.
- As Lieutenant Governor, started a task force “to investigate the indoctrination of the state’s students.” The task force refused to comply with the Open Meetings Law, which states that public body meetings must be announced 48 hours in advance. There are also no recordings or minutes available from the task force meetings.
- Said, “There’s no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth. And yes I called it filth.”
- Plans to increase wages for teachers and “hold them to high standards of excellence.”
- Supports boosting apprenticeship and vocational programs for career readiness.

Education

Opposed the UN Gaza ceasefire resolution and said, “Israel and the Jewish people must be allowed to secure the release of the hostages, defeat Hamas and defend themselves against terrorism.”

Promises to "partner with law enforcement at all levels to tackle the fentanyl crisis, crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.” 

- Opposed the UN Gaza ceasefire resolution and said, “Israel and the Jewish people must be allowed to secure the release of the hostages, defeat Hamas and defend themselves against terrorism.”
- Promises to "partner with law enforcement at all levels to tackle the fentanyl crisis, crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.” 

Foreign Policy and Immigration

CNN, ‘I’m a black NAZI!’: NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum

Made comments on a pornography website over a decade ago, where he referred to himself as a “black NAZI!”, but currently denies the allegations.

- Made comments on a pornography website over a decade ago, where he referred to himself as a “black NAZI!”, but currently denies the allegations.

Ethics & Conduct

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Truth Initiative, Josh Stein

Supports raising the minimum wage and cutting taxes for working families.

Plans to support small businesses by “reducing red tape, investing in innovative strategies for economic development, and increasing resources for technical assistance and mentorship programs.”

Plans to increase homeownership opportunities and expand affordable rental housing.

- Supports raising the minimum wage and cutting taxes for working families.
- Plans to support small businesses by “reducing red tape, investing in innovative strategies for economic development, and increasing resources for technical assistance and mentorship programs.”
- Plans to increase homeownership opportunities and expand affordable rental housing.

Plans to encourage carbon neutrality by 2050 in North Carolina.

Plans to invest in “resilient” infrastructure to prepare for climate change and natural disaster events.

Supports transitioning to “a clean energy economy” and believes it “creates good-paying jobs and keeps… communities healthy and safe.”

- Plans to encourage carbon neutrality by 2050 in North Carolina.
- Plans to invest in “resilient” infrastructure to prepare for climate change and natural disaster events.
- Supports transitioning to “a clean energy economy” and believes it “creates good-paying jobs and keeps… communities healthy and safe.”

Supports access to abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and contraceptives and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.

Believes protecting access to rural healthcare is critical.

Supports increased access to telemedicine.

Supports Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act.

Advocates for hospital price transparency.

Advocates for “addressing the youth mental health crisis” and criticizes social media companies because these companies “do not see young people as children to be protected but as dollar signs to be exploited."

As Attorney General, sued e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for the teen vaping epidemic, and won $40 million for helping correct nicotine addiction.

Said, “North Carolina is the most veteran-friendly state… and as Governor, I’ll keep it that way. That means ensuring veterans can get good jobs, receive job training, find affordable housing, get the health care they need, and start a small business after their military service.”

- Supports access to abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and contraceptives and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.
- Believes protecting access to rural healthcare is critical.
- Supports increased access to telemedicine.
- Supports Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act.
- Advocates for hospital price transparency.
- Advocates for “addressing the youth mental health crisis” and criticizes social media companies because these companies “do not see young people as children to be protected but as dollar signs to be exploited."
- As Attorney General, sued e-cigarette manufacturer Juul for the teen vaping epidemic, and won $40 million for helping correct nicotine addiction.
- Said, “North Carolina is the most veteran-friendly state… and as Governor, I’ll keep it that way. That means ensuring veterans can get good jobs, receive job training, find affordable housing, get the health care they need, and start a small business after their military service.”

Supports “an independent redistricting commission.”

Plans to increase the required “cooling off” time between when elected officials leave office and can become lobbyists.

- Supports “an independent redistricting commission.”
- Plans to increase the required “cooling off” time between when elected officials leave office and can become lobbyists.

Supports “strategies to recruit and retain more public-spirited officers.”

Believes fentanyl is a major issue and leads a Fentanyl Task Force that collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement.

- Supports gun control.
- Supports “strategies to recruit and retain more public-spirited officers.”
- Believes fentanyl is a major issue and leads a Fentanyl Task Force that collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Plans to increase funding for public education.

Supports teacher pay raises and “universal, healthy school meals for all public school students.”

Supports investing in early childhood educators, quality child care centers, and for more early childhood education slots.

Supports increasing access to technical education and apprenticeships.

Supports “no-cost community college for students pursuing coursework in [the] state’s growing, high-demand industries.”

Endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).

- Plans to increase funding for public education.
- Supports teacher pay raises and “universal, healthy school meals for all public school students.”
- Supports investing in early childhood educators, quality child care centers, and for more early childhood education slots.
- Supports increasing access to technical education and apprenticeships.
- Supports “no-cost community college for students pursuing coursework in [the] state’s growing, high-demand industries.”
- Endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).

Raleigh News & Observer, NC Democratic Candidate for Governor 2024, Josh Stein

Supports strengthening border security and providing law enforcement with more tools to combat drug trafficking.

Supports stronger border security and giving law enforcement more tools against drug trafficking. Successfully pushed the federal government to deploy fentanyl scanners at the border.

Supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Believes Israel is justified to fight Hamas but must minimize the impact on civilians. In the long term, supports a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian nation.

- Supports stronger border security and giving law enforcement more tools against drug trafficking. Successfully pushed the federal government to deploy fentanyl scanners at the border.
- Believes Israel is justified to fight Hamas but must minimize the impact on civilians. In the long term, supports a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian nation.

As of May 21, 2024, Josh Stein’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Josh Stein

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Branch Politics Candidate Survey

Said, "End the countless layers of taxation that hinder the economic prosperity of North Carolinians... We will immediately stop interfering in the free market with revenue generating schemes that unfairly favor some over others..."

Said, "End the countless layers of taxation that hinder the economic prosperity of North Carolinians... We will immediately stop interfering in the free market with revenue-generating schemes that unfairly favor some over others."

- Said, "End the countless layers of taxation that hinder the economic prosperity of North Carolinians... We will immediately stop interfering in the free market with revenue-generating schemes that unfairly favor some over others."
- Supports auditing the Federal Reserve.

Opposes arbitrary regulatory limits on clean tech, supports protecting NC's natural resources from harmful entities, and wants to foster a market for environmental innovation.

Said, "We see no need for arbitrary, draconian regulatory limits that do nothing to improve the air or water but create prohibitive barriers of entry for potentially innovative new clean technologies. In particular,... we see no need to do anything with things like emissions limits."

Advocates for protecting beaches, wetlands, mountains, and farmland from "nefarious corporate and international parties who have no incentive to protect our state."

- Said, "We see no need for arbitrary, draconian regulatory limits that do nothing to improve the air or water but create prohibitive barriers of entry for potentially innovative new clean technologies. In particular,... we see no need to do anything with things like emissions limits."
- Advocates for protecting beaches, wetlands, mountains, and farmland from "nefarious corporate and international parties who have no incentive to protect our state."

Said, "The government must be removed from the doctor-patient relationship. ... Ending certificate of need, ending prescription import restrictions, and requiring medical billing transparency are essential to freeing the market to better serve North Carolinians."

Said, "The government must be removed from the doctor-patient relationship... Ending certificate of need, ending prescription import restrictions, and requiring medical billing transparency are essential to freeing the market to better serve North Carolinians."

- Said, "The government must be removed from the doctor-patient relationship... Ending certificate of need, ending prescription import restrictions, and requiring medical billing transparency are essential to freeing the market to better serve North Carolinians."

Supports a mandatory public comment period based on bill length before legislative approval and opposes any bill infringing on North Carolinians' fundamental rights, advocating for governance with public consent.

Supports mandatory public comment for every bill passed by the legislature at a rate of one day for each page of the bill.

- Supports mandatory public comment for every bill passed by the legislature at a rate of one day for each page of the bill.

The candidate's website says, "Protect the Police and Protect the Public. This includes a minimum entry-level police salary of 50k, a 20% immediate across-the-board…"

Supports a minimum entry-level salary of $50k, a 20% salary increase "across-the-board," at least four weeks of paid vacation, "full psychological support," and mentorship programs for police officers. 

The candidate's website says, "End qualified immunity and stop forcing the public to pay for bad police work,"

Opposes qualified immunity, no-knock warrants, and civil asset forfeiture.

Proposes a minimum 1-year training and 6 month probationary period for police officers.

Supports body camera transparency, civilian review boards, and annual independent mental health evaluation for police departments. 

Opposes military weapons purchases by the police.

Opposes government regulation of personal substance use, supports local fines for public disturbances, and wants to protect police from enforcing victimless crime laws.

Opposes government regulation of personal substance use, saying "We do not recognize the government’s right to tell you what you can and cannot ingest into your own body." However, would not oppose local ordinances that fine for public intoxication.

- Supports a minimum entry-level salary of $50k, a 20% salary increase "across-the-board," at least four weeks of paid vacation, "full psychological support," and mentorship programs for police officers. 
- Opposes qualified immunity, no-knock warrants, and civil asset forfeiture.
- Proposes a minimum 1-year training and 6 month probationary period for police officers.
- Supports body camera transparency, civilian review boards, and annual independent mental health evaluation for police departments. 
- Opposes military weapons purchases by the police.
- Opposes government regulation of personal substance use, saying "We do not recognize the government’s right to tell you what you can and cannot ingest into your own body." However, would not oppose local ordinances that fine for public intoxication.

Said, "If we must have tax revenue fund education then we also must eliminate any state interest or influence on what teachers…"

Said, "[We] must eliminate any state interest or influence on what teachers are forced to teach, and leave that to the parents to decide."

Believes individual schools should choose the curriculum taught and parents should choose "whatever solution works best for their child."

Advocates for "100% equitable distribution of all education money among the students [and] lottery money [to] be distributed on a per-student basis to all schools, home schools, micro-schools, or any new free market solutions that meet competency requirements by grade."

Expresses concern that school choice programs could lead to government control of private education.

- Said, "[We] must eliminate any state interest or influence on what teachers are forced to teach, and leave that to the parents to decide."
- Believes individual schools should choose the curriculum taught and parents should choose "whatever solution works best for their child."
- Advocates for "100% equitable distribution of all education money among the students [and] lottery money [to] be distributed on a per-student basis to all schools, home schools, micro-schools, or any new free market solutions that meet competency requirements by grade."
- Expresses concern that school choice programs could lead to government control of private education.

As of May 22, 2024, Mike Ross’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mike Ross

Ballotpedia, Vinny Smith

Believes a skilled workforce is crucial for economic growth and plans to collaborate with businesses, educational institutions, and the General Assembly to develop workforce development programs that meet future industry needs.

Believes that property owners "rent it from the Government by paying Property Tax."

Supports phasing "out Property Taxes for homeowners," as state law states property needs to be rented from the government. 

- Believes a skilled workforce is crucial for economic growth and plans to collaborate with businesses, educational institutions, and the General Assembly to develop workforce development programs that meet future industry needs.
- Supports phasing "out Property Taxes for homeowners," as state law states property needs to be rented from the government. 

As of August 15, 2024, Vinny Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports improving children's health by implementing mandatory health and nutrition classes, offering only healthy foods and snacks, and establishing a daily exercise program in schools.

Supports implementing mandatory health and nutrition classes. 

Opposes mandatory immunizations for public school children.

Supports transitioning from a "Disease Management System" to "true Healthcare."

- Supports implementing mandatory health and nutrition classes. 
- Opposes mandatory immunizations for public school children.
- Opposes abortion.
- Supports transitioning from a "Disease Management System" to "true Healthcare."

Supports tax credits for parents who educate their children outside the public school system.

Supports parents having the choice in how their children are educated.

- Supports tax credits for parents who educate their children outside the public school system.
- Supports parents having the choice in how their children are educated.

Plans to advocate for policies that address issues veterans face.

- Plans to advocate for policies that address issues veterans face.

Vinny Smith

Ballotpedia, Wayne Turner

Plans to "to attract to our state companies that offer good wages and benefits, and have a track record or clear intent to treat their employees fairly."

Supports worker cooperatives and believes it will reduce wealth inequality.

Supports creating a state-owned public bank and believes "Private banks have no incentive to lend at reasonable rates, pay reasonable returns on deposits, or view the community they serve as more than a source of profit."

Believes North Carolina should implement environmental, social, and governance standards (ESGs) to attract European companies.

Plans to repeal the state's right-to-work law.

Plans to "repeal of the general statute in North Carolina that prevents public sector workers from bargaining with their employer."

Supports capping rents and taxing excess real estate profits to reduce housing costs.

- Plans to "to attract to our state companies that offer good wages and benefits, and have a track record or clear intent to treat their employees fairly."
- Supports worker cooperatives and believes it will reduce wealth inequality.
- Supports creating a state-owned public bank and believes "Private banks have no incentive to lend at reasonable rates, pay reasonable returns on deposits, or view the community they serve as more than a source of profit."
- Believes North Carolina should implement environmental, social, and governance standards (ESGs) to attract European companies.
- Plans to repeal the state's right-to-work law.
- Plans to "repeal of the general statute in North Carolina that prevents public sector workers from bargaining with their employer."
- Supports capping rents and taxing excess real estate profits to reduce housing costs.

Plans to "fully fund" the NC Department of Environmental Quality and opposes granting permits automatically when it does not meet deadlines.

Supports increasing protections for silt runoff and wetland destruction.

Plans to "reduce agricultural runoff and continued chemical spills into streams and rivers... from concentrated feedlot operations, hog waste, and intensive poultry farming."

Supports federal and state investment to clean up North Carolina’s 38 Superfund sites.

Advocates for converting Duke Power into a state-owned utility.

- Plans to "fully fund" the NC Department of Environmental Quality and opposes granting permits automatically when it does not meet deadlines.
- Supports increasing protections for silt runoff and wetland destruction.
- Plans to "reduce agricultural runoff and continued chemical spills into streams and rivers... from concentrated feedlot operations, hog waste, and intensive poultry farming."
- Supports federal and state investment to clean up North Carolina’s 38 Superfund sites.
- Advocates for converting Duke Power into a state-owned utility.

Supports a state universal health care program and expanding Medicaid.

Plans to limit private equity investment in the healthcare industry.

- Supports a state universal health care program and expanding Medicaid.
- Plans to limit private equity investment in the healthcare industry.

As of May 21, 2024, Wayne Turner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to work towards abolishing prisons.

Supports creating non-violent response teams in police departments.

- Plans to work towards abolishing prisons.
- Supports creating non-violent response teams in police departments.

Opposes school vouchers and using "taxpayer dollars to fund private and for-profit schools."

Supports reducing the appointive power of the legislature on various state education board.

Supports funding school resources such as school nurses and counselors, art and music instruction, and teacher aides instead of police and resource officers.

Opposes House Bill (HB) 715, which abolishes tenure for professors in the University of North Carolina (UNC) system.

Opposes HB 96, which requires taking an American history class to graduate from the UNC system and dictates which documents must be taught.

Opposes the School of Civic Life and Leadership at UNC and plans to defund and abolish it.

Plans to end book bans and content challenges.

- Opposes school vouchers and using "taxpayer dollars to fund private and for-profit schools."
- Supports reducing the appointive power of the legislature on various state education board.
- Supports funding school resources such as school nurses and counselors, art and music instruction, and teacher aides instead of police and resource officers.
- Opposes House Bill (HB) 715, which abolishes tenure for professors in the University of North Carolina (UNC) system.
- Opposes HB 96, which requires taking an American history class to graduate from the UNC system and dictates which documents must be taught.
- Opposes the School of Civic Life and Leadership at UNC and plans to defund and abolish it.
- Plans to end book bans and content challenges.

Opposes state and local law enforcement cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Supports state-issued identification cards or driver’s licenses for working immigrants.

Believes immigrants contribute to the economy and "are entitled to state services, including education and health care."

- Opposes state and local law enforcement cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Supports state-issued identification cards or driver’s licenses for working immigrants.
- Believes immigrants contribute to the economy and "are entitled to state services, including education and health care."

Wayne Turner

- The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is tasked with faithfully carrying out the laws of the state. 
- The Governor can advocate for their legislative agenda. They also can veto legislation passed by the state legislature. However, a supermajority in the state legislature can vote to adopt a bill despite the Governor's veto. 
- The Governor appoints more than 350 statewide boards and commissions. The Governor appoints department heads, who make up the Cabinet. 
- The Governor is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms. The governor must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the U.S. for five years, and a resident of North Carolina for two years immediately preceding the election. 

The chief executive of the state, who plays a significant role in the laws made every year