Gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson was treated for burns he received at an appearance, the campaign has confirmed. The North Carolina Republican Lieutenant Governor sustained the burns during a campaign event in his bid for governor, as reported by his campaign spokesperson, Mike Lonergan.
Robinson was attending the Mayberry Truck Show in Mount Airy when the incident occurred on Friday night. He was promptly treated for second-degree burns at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy and is said to be in good spirits, according to Lonergan. The campaign representative expressed Robinson’s gratitude for the well wishes and stated that he is looking forward to resuming his campaign schedule as planned on Saturday morning.
Lonergan did not provide further details regarding how or where the burns occurred. Robinson had been on a campaign trail, making stops with Moore County Republicans earlier on Friday and was scheduled for four more stops on Saturday.
The Lieutenant Governor, who has held the position since 2021, is running for governor against Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the current attorney general. With the current Democratic Governor Roy Cooper unable to run for re-election due to term limits, the race has garnered significant attention.
Robinson has been in the spotlight recently following allegations from a September 19 CNN report suggesting he made controversial racial and sexual comments on an online platform over a decade ago. Subsequently, several staff members from his campaign and Lieutenant Governor’s Office have resigned. Robinson denied writing the messages and has initiated an investigation through a law firm to address the issue.
Mount Airy, the location where Robinson sustained his burns, holds historical significance as the hometown of the late TV star Andy Griffith and served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in “The Andy Griffith Show” during the 1960s. The community continues to celebrate this heritage with various tributes and festivals associated with the show.
Robinson’s resilience in the face of adversity and his determination to continue his political campaign reflect his commitment to serving the people of North Carolina. The incident, while unfortunate, is a reminder of the challenges that candidates may encounter during their campaign journeys.