(TheProudRepublic.com) – Following a bombshell CNN report, Mark Robinson’s (R) campaign for governor of North Carolina faced a major setback this weekend as four top staffers have quit.
The report linked Robinson to an account on a pornographic message board known for racist and sexually explicit posts. The resignations occurred just three days after the report came out and after Robinson declined to exit the race.
The staffers who left include Conrad Pogorzelski III, Robinson’s general consultant and senior adviser; campaign manager Chris Rodriguez; finance director Heather Whillier; and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk.
The campaign stated that “an announcement of new incoming staff members will be forthcoming from the campaign soon.”
“I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors,” Robinson said.
He emphasized that his campaign will continue to focus on the substantive issues at stake in this election.
Moreover, Robinson has insisted on staying in the race, arguing that polls have “consistently underestimated Republican support” in North Carolina.
“Guys, the news media is at it again. My opponent is at it again. You’ve all seen the half-truths and outright lies of Josh Stein on these ads over and over again. Now, a story, leaked by him to CNN, is appearing now,” he claimed.
“Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson. You know my words. You know my character and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before,” he added.
In addition, CNN reporters Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck identified Robinson as the owner of the account named “minisoldr” on the pornographic site Nude Africa.
According to Breitbart News, the account posted sexually-themed messages between 2008 and 2012, including a preference for transgender porn and a recollection of peeping on women in a locker room.
In the aftermath of this situation, calls for Robinson to withdraw from the race have intensified among Republicans.
“I think what’s going to happen here is he deserves the chance to defend himself, Mark Robinson. The charges are beyond unnerving,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
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