Mark Robinson is a popular American politician who has been serving as the 35th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina since 2021. He is the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. He is a member of the Republican Party and is currently a candidate for the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election.
Robinson gained national attention in 2018 after delivering a passionate speech defending gun rights at a Greensboro City Council meeting following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. This speech propelled him into politics, leading to his winning the lieutenant governor’s election in 2020 against Democratic candidate Yvonne Lewis Holley.
Short Info
| Full Name: | Mark Keith Robinson |
| Profession: | American politician (35th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina) |
| Political party: | Republican |
| Military service: | Served in the United States Army Reserve, 1985–1989 |
| Date of Birth: | August 18, 1968, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S |
| Age: | 56 Years |
| Height: | 6 feet 1 inches (185 cm) |
| Education: | Attended North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
| Historical significance: | First African American to hold the office of lieutenant governor in North Carolina |
Early life and Military Service
Robinson was born Mark Keith Robinson on August 18, 1968, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He grew up in a working-class family as the ninth of ten children. His early life was filled with challenges, including poverty and domestic violence. Robinson has spoken publicly about his father’s struggle with alcoholism and how his mother played a strong, instrumental role in raising the family after his father died when Robinson was 12.
Despite these hardships, Robinson managed to finish high school in 1986 and then served in the United States Army Reserve. He initially enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue higher education, but did not graduate. He then enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2017, but his political career interrupted his studies before he could complete a degree there.
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Political career
Mark Robinson’s political career began in 2018, when he gave a passionate speech defending gun rights at a Greensboro City Council meeting following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which led to his speech going viral and him emerging as a new leader.
North Carolina Election 2020
Mark Robinson first announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from the Republican Party in 2019. With no prior political experience, his campaign focused on conservative values such as protecting gun rights, supporting traditional family values, and lowering taxes.
In the general election held on November 3, 2020, Mark K. Robinson won with approximately 51.6% of the vote (2,800,656 votes), while Yvonne Lewis Holley garnered approximately 48.4% (2,623,458 votes). Robinson’s win was historic as he became the first black person to hold the position of lieutenant governor in North Carolina. His election also highlighted the growing influence of African-American candidates within the Republican Party.
North Carolina Election 2024
Mark Robinson, the current lieutenant governor of North Carolina, is running for governor in the upcoming 2024 election. He will face Democratic candidate Josh Stein, the current state attorney general. Robinson took office on January 1, 2021, and his term as lieutenant governor will end on January 1, 2025. Robinson is a member of the Republican Party and has emerged as an important political figure, becoming the first black lieutenant governor and major party candidate for governor in North Carolina history.
Controversies
Robinson has established himself as a conservative firebrand, particularly for his sharp remarks. He has faced criticism for making inflammatory remarks on a variety of topics, including LGBTQ issues and abortion. For example, he has referred to discussions about transgenderism as “filth” and has made derogatory comments about women seeking abortion.
He recently made a comment about the Holocaust, calling it “bullshit.” The comments offended and sparked outrage among Jewish communities. He has criticised feminists in derogatory terms and made derogatory comments about Martin Luther King Jr. Additionally, Robinson has labelled African Americans who support Democratic policies as “traitors” to their race. He has also faced criticism for his comments about Muslims, which some have interpreted as Islamophobic.
Recent News
Robinson’s campaign has been mired in controversy after a CNN report surfaced on September 19, 2024. The report alleges that he made inflammatory comments on a pornographic website under a pseudonym between 2008 and 2012. These comments allegedly included identifying himself as a “Black Nazi” and expressing support for reinstating slavery. Robinson has denied these allegations, saying they do not reflect his character and labelling them as “tabloid trash” designed to distract from real issues.
Despite these controversies, Robinson remains a prominent figure within the Republican Party in North Carolina. He is currently campaigning for governor against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. He has received endorsements from prominent figures in the Republican Party, including former President Donald Trump.
Net worth
Currently, Mark Robinson’s estimated net worth is estimated to be around $1.74 million. His wealth stems primarily from his political career, past work in furniture manufacturing, and public speeches. He receives an annual salary of around $146,421 as lieutenant governor.
Personal life
Mark Robinson was married to Yolanda Dashiell Hill on May 5, 1990. They have two children, a daughter named Kimberly Robinson and a son named Dayson Robinson. Yolanda has an accounting degree and manages the family’s finances and business operations, particularly their company, Balanced Nutrition. Mark considers her the backbone of his household, who has supported him throughout his political career and during his financial struggles, including several bankruptcies earlier in his life.
His daughter, Kimberly Robinson, is married to Danzetto Cephas, and both Kimberly and Danzetto are involved in family activities and business affairs. His son, Dejon Robinson, has taken over responsibilities within the family business, allowing Mark to focus more on his political duties as lieutenant governor.
