Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for North Carolina Governor, has quickly risen in state politics. If elected, he would be the state's first Black governor. Robinson's political career gained momentum after a speech defending gun rights went viral. He previously made history as the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina and has expressed anti-L.G.B.T.Q. views rooted in his Christian faith. His wife's past abortion has shaped his stance on the issue. Robinson's upbringing in a poor, abusive household has influenced his political philosophy. He has also criticized the impact of trade agreements on manufacturing jobs in North Carolina.