Surprise of the night in NC politics? The LG's race

He beat state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson. He bested former Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.

"We're not pretentious," he said late Tuesday. "I'm not spreading a political message. I'm spreading a message of strong conservatism."

2020 N.C. Primary Results

It was a good night for the grassroots in this race – for both major parties. State Rep. Yvonne Holley, D-Wake, took the top spot in the Democratic Party's lieutenant governor's race. She, too, was underfunded compared to other candidates in a crowded field.

"I worked hard," Holley said, "and I had a message that the people wanted to hear."

Holley will likely face a runoff against state Sen. Terry Van Duyn, D-Buncombe, since neither topped the state's 30 percent threshold. Holley had 26.5 percent of the vote with 98 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results. Van Duyn had 20.5 percent.

Robinson looked like he'd take the Republican race without a runoff. He had 32.5 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting.

Robinson, who is black, said there's a false narrative about racism in the Republican Party.

"We've allowed other people to dictate the narrative and tell the story," he said. "I've not seen any racism in the Republican Party the whole time I've been in it."

Robinson generated buzz nearly two years ago with a speech before the Greensboro City Council, which was considering canceling a gun show in the months after a high school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

He promised to "raise hell just like these loonies from the left do until you listen to the majority of the people in this city."

"And I am the majority," he said, describing himself as a law-abiding gun owner.

Holley raised some $40,000 for the statewide race. She said she spent it advertising on black gospel radio stations.

"I hit the demographic that would vote for me," she said.