Robinson 'vengeance' remarks stir controversy within NC GOP

Remarks by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson are once again causing controversy – but this time, their apparent targets are within his own party.

Robinson is a frequent guest speaker at churches, but his latest comments came last Saturday at a Republican Party event in Davie County.

At the end of a long speech, Robinson appeared to call down divine retribution on his GOP opponents and their supporters.

"I don't have to listen to those in my own party who have watched as my back has been whipped by our enemies, who refuse to stand up with me because they're cowards," Robinson thundered. "I don't have to worry about it. Because one day, Jesus Christ is going to ride back to this earth on that white horse. When he does, he's going to bring his vengeance."

WRAL News asked the Robinson campaign to explain what he meant. Spokesman Mike Lonergan said Robinson is very "bold and outspoken" about his Christian faith.

"Politics can be a rough business, but part of his faith is that one day, we will all be judged not by men, but by God. That quote doesn’t refer to any one person but to all of us," Lonergan said.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell wasn't buying it. He's one of Robinson’s opponents in the GOP governor's primary.

"Anytime that Mark Robinson talks, he’s always playing the victim," Folwell told WRAL News.

"We all know how Mark Robinson feels about women, how he feels about Jews and many other organizations," Folwell said. "But the fact is that there’s no place in state government for that type of rhetoric."

Another of Robinson’s Republican challengers, businessman Bill Graham, declined to comment on the remarks.

“Our campaign is focused on the issues that will help fix Joe Biden's economy, and we hope all Republicans will unite in that effort,” said Graham’s spokesman Alex Baltzegar.

Former state Sen. Andy Wells is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor. His campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.