Editor’s note: Elizabeth Nutley’s title in this article was originally misstated and has been corrected. Technician regrets this error.

For the first time in eight years, the North Carolina governor’s mansion in downtown Raleigh will be occupied by someone other than Gov. Roy Cooper. One of the main candidates for the most powerful office in the state lives right down the street.

Mark Robinson rose to prominence after delivering a fiery speech defending gun rights to the city council in his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2018. In 2020, he unexpectedly carried the Republican primary and beat former General Assembly member Yvonne Holley to become the state’s first Black lieutenant governor.

Propelled by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Robinson handily beat State Treasurer Dale Folwell and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham in the Republican primary for governor. His fiery and outspoken demeanor has made him one of the most prominent and controversial figures in North Carolina politics.

Robinson’s powerful, sermon-like orations have defined his successful foray into politics. Elizabeth Nutley, treasurer of the NC State College Republicans, believes his energy and accompanying values continue to set him apart from his competition. 

“Just the fact that he is so strong in everything that he believes, I think that’ll be a difference because I feel instead of being given the agenda, he will be the one who really sets the party agenda for the Republican Party,” Nutley said. “That’s the role of the governor, to be the party leader, and I think he has what it takes to lead the party and lead the policy.”

Nutley also sees his religious background as a strong pull for voters. 

“I myself am a Christian,” Nutley said. “So when he opens every speech and every event with thanking his lord and savior, Jesus Christ, that to me stands out. That he is unashamed of his faith and being a previous pastor, he certainly knows the word of God and he really believes it.”

Makenzi Hudson, chairman of the NC State Young Americans for Freedom, similarly highlighted Robinson’s strong convictions as a primary reason for his success.

“I think the people that did vote for Mark Robinson, they really agreed with his values,” Hudson said. “They said that it was personal to them, that it affected them in a way that was a bit more deep than the other candidates.”

While Robinson’s strong rhetoric has swiftly garnered a large following and dedication, it has also painted him as largely controversial in the national limelight, especially in regards to his positions on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights. Robinson has called homosexuality and transgender identitis “filth,” and said it makes him “sick” every time he sees a church flying a rainbow flag, calling it a “spit in the face of God almighty.” 

Robinson has also been involved in a number of controversial conspiracy theories. He has engaged in speculation about the Holocaust, lies about Michelle Obama’s gender and endorsed theories claiming Parkland shooting survivors were paid actors.

Robinson’s positions have also caused strife among North Carolina Republicans. He has largely been painted as a far-right candidate and a diversion from the conventional moderate Republican politics North Carolina has been used to in favor of the Trump and MAGA brand. 

Senator Thom Tillis, one of the most prominent members of the state party in the last decade, endorsed Graham in the primary and cited Robinson’s lack of experience. 

Nutley sees the same divisions but is more confident that Robinson will be able to bring the right together. 

“That’s definitely an interesting dynamic, how there seems to be two different parts of the Republican Party, one where it’s more the establishment and more, not only fiscally and socially conservative but just more mentally conservative,” Nutley said. “And then there’s the more Trump-side of Republican politics. I think that while there is infighting sometimes, I think that come November, it’ll all work itself out.”

Abortion is one of Robinson’s more far-right stances. He had previously labeled abortion as “genocide” and said that there was no compromise to be had on the issue, regardless of how a woman became pregnant. Since his gubernatorial bid began, Robinson has sought to downplay his position and now claims to support legislation that would limit abortions after a heartbeat has been detected and include exceptions. 

Robinson has been open about paying for an abortion in the past and how it has shaped his perspective on the practice now. While Nutley believes that Robinson’s experience with the issue has shaped his outlook on abortion in a powerful way, Hudson is wary of his conflicting record. 

“The fact that he is kind of holding back information and not being super transparent on even one issue shows that maybe he’s not willing to, or maybe he can’t spin it in a way that supports him,” Hudson said. “And so we have to think about his personal motives and his personal values versus the ones that he’s trying to push to get people to cast their vote.”