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

Mark has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mark and his wife Yolanda have two children and two grandchildren.

Mark is an army veteran, and former teacher, factory worker, restaurant manager, and upholsterer. He and his wife also opened a daycare center together.

Mark Robinson is the current Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. He was elected to this position in 2020 and is currently serving his first term.

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

Economy

Twitter

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

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.”

- 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.”

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Mark Robinson

Said, "I lost not one, but two jobs due to NAFTA... We lost homes, cars, and were even forced into bankruptcy..."

The candidate's website says, "For those with a passion for the cause but limited time or experience, consider becoming a County Team Member. Help run our booth at festivals, participate in parades, register voters, distribute yard signs and more, right in your own county!"

As of January 31, 2024, Mark Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mark Robinson has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Mark grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He and his wife Yolanda have two children and two grandchildren.

Mark Robinson is an army veteran, and former teacher, factory worker, restaurant manager, and upholsterer. He and his wife also opened a daycare center together.

Mark Robinson is the current Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. He was elected to this position in 2020. He has served one term in this role.

Candidate website

Promises to pass tax relief policies to aid families and create competition in the job market.

Supports the fiscally conservative budget policies of the past North Carolina government, and plans to continue these policies.

- Said, "I lost not one, but two jobs due to NAFTA... We lost homes, cars, and were even forced into bankruptcy..."
- Promises to pass tax relief policies to aid families and create competition in the job market.
- Supports the fiscally conservative budget policies of the past North Carolina government, and plans to continue these policies.

Supports the creation of more natural gas export terminals and plans to “fight for an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that will create more jobs and better protect the environment and consumers alike.”

- Supports the creation of more natural gas export terminals and plans to “fight for an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that will create more jobs and better protect the environment and consumers alike.”

Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, but supports exceptions to this legislation in cases like rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.

- Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, but supports exceptions to this legislation in cases like rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.

- 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.”

Supports educational choice, including private, charter, and homeschooling; advocates for parental awareness of curriculum; champions workforce development and apprenticeships; prioritizes safety in schools for students and teachers.

Supports school choice, including private, charter, and homeschooling; advocates for parental awareness of curriculum; supports safety in schools for students and teachers.

Said, “We need to… get politics out of the classroom, refocus our curriculum on academics, and prioritize getting students career ready — whether… preparing them for a college degree or a career in trades...”

Supports increased focus on reading and math to help students recover from the educational loss from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans to create partnerships between schools and tech companies to educate students on growing job opportunities in technical fields.

As Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson approved $11 million for apprenticeship programs, and plans to ensure that students have increased opportunities after high school.

- Supports school choice, including private, charter, and homeschooling; advocates for parental awareness of curriculum; supports safety in schools for students and teachers.
- Said, “We need to… get politics out of the classroom, refocus our curriculum on academics, and prioritize getting students career ready — whether… preparing them for a college degree or a career in trades...”
- Supports increased focus on reading and math to help students recover from the educational loss from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Plans to create partnerships between schools and tech companies to educate students on growing job opportunities in technical fields.
- Plans to increase wages for teachers and “hold them to high standards of excellence.”
- As Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson approved $11 million for apprenticeship programs, and plans to ensure that students have increased opportunities after high school.

Said, “I stand with Israel and the Jewish people. My first act as acting governor was to call for solidarity with and a day of prayer for Israel.”

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

- Said, “I stand with Israel and the Jewish people. My first act as acting governor was to call for solidarity with and a day of prayer for Israel.”
- Promises to "partner with law enforcement at all levels to tackle the fentanyl crisis, crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer…”

Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, however, supports exceptions to this legislation in cases like rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.

- Supports legislation to limit abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, however, supports exceptions to this legislation in cases like rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.

Mark Robinson grew up as the 9th of 10 children in Greensboro, North Carolina. Specific details about where he attended school, what church he attends, and his family life are not provided in the information given.

As of March 1, 2024, Mark Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mark Robinson was elected the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2020.

- Said, "I lost not one, but two jobs due to NAFTA... We lost homes, cars, and were even forced into bankruptcy..."

Said "I have championed workforce development programs to give students more opportunities for success after high school, and was even able to secure over $11 Million dollars in the state budget for apprenticeship programs."

- Supports school choice, including private, charter, and homeschooling; advocates for parental awareness of curriculum; supports safety in schools for students and teachers.
- Said "I have championed workforce development programs to give students more opportunities for success after high school, and was even able to secure over $11 Million dollars in the state budget for apprenticeship programs."

As of February 12, 2024, Mark Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mark Robinson grew up as the 9th of 10 children in a poor household in Greensboro, North Carolina. He faced the challenges of domestic violence and alcoholism from his father, who passed away when Mark was in the fifth grade. Specific details about where he attended school, what church he attends, and his family life are not provided in the information given.

Mark Robinson was elected as the first Black Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2020. Prior to holding this office, there is no mention of any other political positions, appointments, committees, or previous runs for office.

- 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.