Mark Robinson WINS North Carolina Republican nomination for governor: MAGA loyalist who Trump called 'Martin Luther King on steroids' advances in the battleground state

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has won the Republican nomination for governor in what is expected to be one of the most competitive governor races in the country come November. 

He beat State Treasurer Dale Folwell and trial attorney Bill Graham for the nomination. 

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein won the Democratic nomination for governor and will face Robinson come November. 

Both candidates would make history in the state if elected. Robinson would be the first black governor of North Carolina while Stein would be the first Jewish governor of the state.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Robinson at a rally in Greensboro on Saturday, calling Robinson 'Martin Luther King on steroids.' 

But the right-wing conservative firebrand has been a polarizing figure who has come under fire for his past comments on women, Jews, Muslims and members of the LGBTQ community as well as posting about baseless conspiracy theories.

Before running for lieutenant governor in 2020, Robinson frequently made antisemitic posts on Facebook. In one he stated that the Black Panther movie was 'created by an agnostic Jew and put to film by satanic Marxists.' 

Other posts have included Holocaust denialism. In one he wrote 'this foolishness about disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash.' 

After the Hamas attack on October 7, Robinson said he supported Israel and denied ever being antisemitic.

Lt. Governor Robinson speaking before Trump at his rally in Greensboro on Saturday

Trump endorsed Robinson for NC governor at a rally in Greensboro on Saturday. He called the Republican who has faced backlash over offensive statements 'Martin Luther King on steroids'

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein won the Democratic nomination for governor and will face Robinson in November in what is expected to be a very competitive governor race

Robinson has also been condemned for his attacks on the LGBTQ community. After the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Florida in 2016, he wrote that homosexuality is 'STILL an abominable sin' and he would 'NOT join in "celebrating gay pride."' 49 people were killed in the shooting and more than 50 others were injured.

He also suggested Ellen DeGeneres, who is openly gay, was a 'top ranking demon.'

In posts after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, Robinson called the survivors 'spoiled, angry, know it all CHILDREN' and 'media prosti-tots' according to a CNN report.

During the 2020 race for lieutenant governor, it was reported that Robinson once described former President Obama as a 'worthless, anti-American atheist' and posted birther memes. 

He called Michelle Obama a man, referred to Joy Behar as a 'she beast' and Congresswoman Maxine Waters a 'ol maxie pad.'

Robinson has also posted on Facebook that Muslims are 'not "immigrants," they are INVADERS' and claimed they 'refuse to assimilate' while 'demanding respect they have not earned.' 

Abortion is expected to be a top issue in the state, and it's one Robinson has been trying to avoid. According to a Rolling Stone report last summer, Robinson told a crowd he does not like to say the 'A-word' but instead likes to use the word 'life.'

Rolling Stone reported that Robinson is now avoiding using the word 'abortion' as he campaigns for governor and instead likes to use the word 'life.' In the past, Robinson has said he would like an abortion ban without exceptions but has since backed away from that stance 

But in a radio interview earlier last year, Robinson said if he had the power and a willing legislature, they would 'pass a bill saying you can't have an abortion in North Carolina for any reason.'

His campaign told CNN, Robinson has publicly supporter legislation that would limit abortion after a heartbeat is detected with protections in situations such as rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. 

Robinson got his political launch in 2018 after a speech he made during a Greensboro city council meeting on gun rights went viral. The following year he launched his bid for lieutenant governor and won in 2020.

Trump not only called Robinson MLK 'on steroids' but also said 'I think you’re better than Martin Luther King. I think you are Martin Luther King times two.'

But Robinson has attacked the civil rights leader, saying in a 2018 podcast that he was a 'communist.' He also blasted the Civil Rights Movement a communist plot to 'subvert capitalism.'

North Carolina is a swing-state that voted for President Donald Trump in 2020 but also Democratic Governor Roy Cooper who is term-limited and will be leaving office in January.

Stein heads into the general election with the backing of Cooper and a massive campaign war chest. 

He served in the North Carolina Senate before being elected Attorney General in 2016 and reelected in 2020. He made a name for himself suing the Trump administration during his first term as Attorney General.