Mark Robinson's wife, Yolanda Hill Robinson, has remained loyal throughout the controversy surrounding her husband’s remarks on a pornography site.
On September 19, CNN revealed that Robinson, the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, frequented a site called Nude African between 2008 and 2012. Not only did he visit the site, but he allegedly left obscene comments, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and expressing support for slavery's return.
Currently serving as Lieutenant Governor, Robinson is running against Attorney General Josh Stein for governor. His comments on the site reportedly also included self-identifying as a “perv” and recounting a time when he spied on women in a changing room at age 14.
Despite these revelations, Yolanda has stood by her husband. In a video released on Friday, she praised him as a “wonderful husband, father, and grandfather." As North Carolina’s second lady, she stated, “I’ve seen Mark work tirelessly, whether it’s for our family or to improve the lives of North Carolinians.”
She emphasized that while Robinson can be loud and confrontational, it stems from his passion for the state and its people. Yolanda shared Mark's difficult upbringing, describing how he overcame poverty and a childhood with an abusive, alcoholic father to become a dedicated family man.
Although the video does not directly address CNN’s allegations, Yolanda claimed that Stein's campaign was attacking her husband. "While they’re spreading lies about Mark, he’s fighting for you," she asserted, urging voters to give Robinson a chance.
The video, funded by Friends of Mark Robinson, serves as a campaign ad. Robinson has denied the accusations and has hired a law firm to investigate CNN’s claims. In a September 26 post on X (formerly Twitter), Robinson said, "I fully expect the facts will come to light quickly, and I will hold CNN accountable."
Yolanda is also facing scrutiny. In July 2024, her non-profit, Balanced Nutrition Inc., was ordered to pay $132,118 by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for being “seriously deficient” in its operations. The non-profit aimed to help child care centers access government food programs. The Robinson campaign dismissed the ruling as “politically motivated.”
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who previously praised Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” held a rally in North Carolina on September 21, notably without Robinson’s presence. Trump has not revoked his endorsement, though when asked about it, he said, “Uh, I don’t know the situation.”
Robinson’s campaign has faced significant challenges, losing several high-ranking staff members, including his senior adviser and campaign manager, along with key finance and political directors. He currently trails Stein by 10 points in the polls, a gap that existed even before CNN’s report. Abortion remains a key issue in the race, and Robinson’s past remarks, labeling pregnancy as a result of “carelessness,” have likely impacted his standing.
In contrast, Stein’s campaign emphasizes his commitment to defending women's rights, including access to contraception, IVF, and abortion, warning that "extreme politicians in Raleigh are not done yet."
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