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

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

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Eliminate the state income tax on any overtime pay."

Wants to eliminate the state income tax on any overtime pay.

The candidate's website says, "Repeal the local food tax. This tax generates just over $400 million a year, and counties can be made whole out of the state’s general sales tax revenues."

Advocates for repealing the local food tax. Said, "This tax generates just over $400 million a year, and counties can be made whole out of the state’s general sales tax revenues."

The candidate's website says, "Provide North Carolina residents who are first-time homebuyers with a $5,000 tax credit over the course of two years."

Wants to provide North Carolina residents who are first-time homebuyers with a $5,000 tax credit over two years.

- Wants to eliminate the state income tax on any overtime pay.
- Advocates for repealing the local food tax. Said, "This tax generates just over $400 million a year, and counties can be made whole out of the state’s general sales tax revenues."
- Wants to provide North Carolina residents who are first-time homebuyers with a $5,000 tax credit over two years.

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

The candidate's website says, "Bill Graham sued the federal government on behalf of United States Marines and their families who got cancer because the Department of Defense did nothing to fix Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water system."

Sued the federal government on behalf of United States Marines and their families who got cancer because the Department of Defense did nothing to fix Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water system.

- Sued the federal government on behalf of United States Marines and their families who got cancer because the Department of Defense did nothing to fix Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water system.

The candidate's website says, "Increase mandatory prison terms for violent offenders."

Wants to increase mandatory prison terms for violent offenders.

The candidate's website says, "Death penalty for fentanyl dealers and human traffickers."

Wants to impose the death penalty for fentanyl dealers and human traffickers.

The candidate's website says, "Establish a statewide crime task force to assist local law enforcement in combating gangs and illegal drug activity so we can put an end to the violent acts these gangs carry out on innocent bystanders."

Plans to establish a statewide crime task force to assist local law enforcement in combating gangs and illegal drug activity. 

- Wants to increase mandatory prison terms for violent offenders.
- Wants to impose the death penalty for fentanyl dealers and human traffickers.
- Plans to establish a statewide crime task force to assist local law enforcement in combating gangs and illegal drug activity. 

The candidate's website says, "Establish a Parents Board of Education in each school district, which would have parents review and approve lesson plans, and would make all lesson plans available online. School administrators would be required to attend all PTA meetings."

Plans to establish a "Parents Board of Education" in each school district, which would have parents review and approve lesson plans, and would make all lesson plans available online. School administrators would be required to attend all PTA meetings.

The candidate's website says, "Emphasize education that teaches our children how to think, not what to think."

Wants to "emphasize education that teaches our children how to think, not what to think." Wants to limit politics in curriculum that is promoted by special interest groups. 

- Plans to establish a "Parents Board of Education" in each school district, which would have parents review and approve lesson plans, and would make all lesson plans available online. School administrators would be required to attend all PTA meetings.
- Wants to "emphasize education that teaches our children how to think, not what to think." Wants to limit politics in curriculum that is promoted by special interest groups. 

The candidate's website says, "The “Graham Plan” emphasizes a proactive approach to safeguarding the state’s economic well-being and national security interests... Less than two months ago, Stein refused to respond to media inquiries when asked about a recent discovery that the Chinese Communist Party has an “intelligence service center” operating in Charlotte."

Said, "The “Graham Plan” emphasizes a proactive approach to safeguarding the state’s economic well-being and national security interests. "

The candidate's website says, "As Governor, Bill will change our state laws to make it illegal for the Chinese government, Chinese companies, or Chinese citizens to buy land in North Carolina."

Plans to change state laws to make it illegal for the Chinese government, Chinese companies, or Chinese citizens to buy land in North Carolina.

Said, "“As Governor, I’ll stand with Israel,” Bill Graham says in the ad. “I always have.”"

Said, “As Governor, I’ll stand with Israel.. I always have."

Is vocally Pro-Israel and Anti-Chinese involvement in North Carolina. 

- Said, "The “Graham Plan” emphasizes a proactive approach to safeguarding the state’s economic well-being and national security interests. "
- Plans to change state laws to make it illegal for the Chinese government, Chinese companies, or Chinese citizens to buy land in North Carolina.
- Said, “As Governor, I’ll stand with Israel.. I always have."
- Is vocally Pro-Israel and Anti-Chinese involvement in North Carolina. 

Bill Graham

Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Martin endorses Dale Folwell in governor’s race

The candidate's website says, "Successfully managed $115 billion pension plan while cutting Wall Street fees by $650 million and fighting ESG policies."

As Treasurer of North Carolina, he managed $115 billion pension plan while reducing Wall Street fees by $650 million and fighting against ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) policies. 

The candidate's website says, "In 2013, Dale was named Assistant Secretary of Commerce and in only 30 months he led a successful effort to pay off $2.7 billion in federal unemployment debt and build a $1 billion surplus which reduced the unemployment tax by all North Carolina businesses."

As the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Dale led ab effort to pay off $2.7 billion in federal unemployment debt and build a $1 billion surplus during a 30 month period. This reduced the unemployment tax for North Carolina businesses. 

The candidate's website says, "Kept North Carolina’s AAA credit rating while reducing state debt by over 60 percent."

As Treasurer of North Carolina, kept North Carolina’s AAA credit rating while reducing state debt by over 60 percent.

Plans to bolster North Carolina's economy, reduce healthcare costs, and implement policies safeguarding residents' finances against inadequate federal leadership, drawing on experience as Treasurer in lowering medical expenses for state citizens.

Said "Citizens simply cannot afford the high cost of groceries, prescription drugs, and medical bills.. I will strengthen North Carolina’s economy and initiate policies to protect your wallet."

- As Treasurer of North Carolina, he managed $115 billion pension plan while reducing Wall Street fees by $650 million and fighting against ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) policies. 
- As the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Dale led ab effort to pay off $2.7 billion in federal unemployment debt and build a $1 billion surplus during a 30 month period. This reduced the unemployment tax for North Carolina businesses. 
- As Treasurer of North Carolina, kept North Carolina’s AAA credit rating while reducing state debt by over 60 percent.
- Said "Citizens simply cannot afford the high cost of groceries, prescription drugs, and medical bills.. I will strengthen North Carolina’s economy and initiate policies to protect your wallet."

North Carolina treasurer Dale Folwell running for governor in 2024

The candidate's website says, "Froze State Health Plan family premiums for 7 years and has fought for healthcare and drug pricing transparency."

Supports better healthcare and drug pricing transparency.

Defended the State Health Plan when it was sued for declining to cover gender-affirming treatments for transgender employees and their children.

- Supports better healthcare and drug pricing transparency.
- Defended the State Health Plan when it was sued for declining to cover gender-affirming treatments for transgender employees and their children.

As of January 31, 2024, Dale R. Folwell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "The Governor has responsibility for statewide crime and public safety... I will completely fund and the staff those divisions and create a task force to interdict sex and drug trafficking, including the deadly fentanyl, at our borders and enforce the death penalty."

Said, "The Governor has responsibility for statewide crime and public safety... I will completely fund and staff those divisions and create a task force to interdict sex and drug trafficking, including the deadly fentanyl, at our borders, and enforce the death penalty."

- Said, "The Governor has responsibility for statewide crime and public safety... I will completely fund and staff those divisions and create a task force to interdict sex and drug trafficking, including the deadly fentanyl, at our borders, and enforce the death penalty."

Said, "As your Governor I will create an educational structure that allows parents to be parents. I will stop the soft bigotry of low expectations in our education system."

The candidate's website says, "One of his goals was school bus safety reform. Passing a school bus is now one of the most serious moving infractions on the books. ... Incredibly, he passed 28 major pieces of legislation, not easy, as he was in the minority party. Bipartisan cooperation was possible because his ideas made sense to all."

During his time serving in the House of Representatives, he advocated for  school bus safety reform, saying "Passing a school bus is now one of the most serious moving infractions on the books."

- Said, "As your Governor I will create an educational structure that allows parents to be parents. I will stop the soft bigotry of low expectations in our education system."
- During his time serving in the House of Representatives, he advocated for  school bus safety reform, saying "Passing a school bus is now one of the most serious moving infractions on the books."

Dale R. Folwell

- 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