This could be a sign of big things to come…
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has shifted the contentious gubernatorial race in North Carolina from “lean Democrat” to “toss up.”
In the last century, only three Republicans have been elected as governor of the state.
Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is facing off against Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein, as they vie to succeed term-limited governor, Roy Cooper (D). (RELATED: Mark Robinson Announces Campaign For North Carolina Governor)
The Cook Political Report attributed the shift in the race's competitiveness to Robinson's large fundraising numbers.
“Robinson is raising actual money — more than $10.5 million so far,” the analysis said. “And according to both Democrats and Republicans, he's on track to bring in the most money ever for a Republican gubernatorial nominee.”
The Hill-Decision Desk HQ's polling average found Stein and Robinson were basically tied, with Stein getting 40.5% of the vote and Robinson getting 40.2%.
Stein's campaign manager Jeff Allen said in a statement to The Hill that “this report reiterated what we've known from the very beginning — this race is going to be close. That's why Josh is working hard to earn every single vote.”
He continued, “This campaign will illustrate the clear choice North Carolinians have between a safer, stronger North Carolina with Josh Stein or a path of hate and division under Mark Robinson.”
A spokesperson for Robinson's campaign said the report proves that Robinson resonates with all North Carolina voters.
“Despite relentless lies and smears by the Democrats, Mark Robinson's vision and message continues to resonate with North Carolina voters of all backgrounds and walks of life,” the spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. “Far-left career politicians like Joe Biden and Josh Stein have brought open borders, crippling inflation and rampant crime on the rise in many of our major cities. The voters have had enough and are ready for a bold conservative outsider like Mark Robinson to partner with President Trump and roll back the failed policies and radical agenda of Biden, Stein and the Democrats.”
Robinson made history as the first Black lieutenant governor in the state and is hoping to become the first Black governor in the state. Stein also hopes to make history by becoming the state's first Jewish governor.
