DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — With the election for North Carolina’s next governor weeks away, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson visited Durham on Wednesday.

Robinson, the Republican nominee in the governor’s race, met with supporters at Grill 46. He spoke about his campaign and the recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Last month, a CNN report alleged Robinson made several offensive comments on a pornographic website called Nude Africa before his political career, including calling himself “a Black Nazi” and expressing support for reinstating slavery.

Robinson has denied the report and hired Binnall Law Group, led by former Donald Trump attorney Jesse Binall, to investigate it.

When asked if he’s filed a lawsuit against CNN, Robinson said, “Not yet, but that is coming and that’s one of the things we plan on doing. We have a law firm handling that while we continue to campaign and help the people of western North Carolina.”

Robinson also said he’s added new leadership to his campaign after several staff members resigned in the wake of the CNN report.

  • Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to supporters at Grill 46 in Durham.
    Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to supporters at Grill 46 in Durham.
  • Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to supporters at Grill 46 in Durham.
    Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to supporters at Grill 46 in Durham.

“The campaign is going fantastic,” he said, a sentiment he shared in late September after the resignations. “In fact, it’s going better now than it ever was. I have new leadership that has energized our entire campaign.”

The lieutenant governor told the crowd in Durham that the governor’s race is about policy.

“When we get in front of these cameras, we don’t choose to talk about tabloid trash we’re going to handle in court,” Robinson said.

Robinson also highlighted the struggles and need for additional supplies in western North Carolina amid Helene recovery efforts. He told CBS 17 there has been progress over the last week and emphasized his criticisms were towards Gov. Roy Cooper.

“I’m not criticizing our National Guard, DOT workers, or state workers,” he said. “I am criticizing our governor, who did not show proper leadership in the face of this storm. He simply did not and that’s a fact. 179 National Guardsmen was not enough.”

Robinson expects to visit the mountains again this week.

Cooper, a Democrat, is term-limited. Robinson will face Democratic state attorney general Josh Stein in the governor’s race.

Following the CNN report, an Eastern Carolina University poll showed Stein leading Robinson by 17 points, 50% to 33%. The previous poll, released prior to the report, showed Stein leading Robinson by six points, 47% to 41%.