Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson is “currently receiving treatment for burns,” his communications director confirmed to NBC News Friday night.
“Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is currently being treated for burns following an incident at a campaign event in Mount Airy. He is doing well,” said Mike Lonergan, director of communications for Robinson’s campaign.
Lonergan was responding to a question from NBC News about NewsNation’s report that the North Carolina candidate was hospitalized.
On Saturday, Lonergan sent NBC News a video he posted on X that shows Robinson telling a supporter that he put his hand on the tailpipe as he exited his car at Friday’s truck show. He said he suffered “mild second-degree burns” and stressed that he was “okay.”
Robinson was scheduled to speak at a North Carolina Faith and Freedom event on Saturday, but event organizers said Friday night they had to cancel the event because the venue was without power. Announced. Hurricane Helen caused extensive damage in parts of North Carolina, especially in the western part of the state where the event will be held.
Robinson posted photos on social media Saturday of himself campaigning at other events.
Friday’s incident came days after a shocking CNN report alleging that the lieutenant governor made anti-Semitic and racist comments on a porn site several years ago.
In the days after the story was published, four senior members of the embattled Republican campaign resigned, but the campaign did not link the resignations to the report.
Despite some Republicans expressing concern about the report, Robinson remains defiant in the face of the allegations. Mr. Robinson denies the charges.
The Harris campaign has sought to link Robinson to former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed her before the CNN report, in hopes that the controversy surrounding Robinson’s candidacy would lead to a reversal of the state’s Democratic situation. It’s here. Trump narrowly won North Carolina in 2020, but Republicans acknowledge it will be difficult to win the White House without the state.