Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson pivots on abortion in a new campaign ad
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Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaking on the first day of the Republican National Convention held last month. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor, released a TV ad Friday in which he and his wife tearfully describe their decision to get an abortion 30 years ago.
Why it matters: Robinson has previously rebuked abortions and expressed support for a ban with no expressions, equating the procedure to "murder" and "genocide."
- But with three months to go before the election, he says in the ad he stands by the state's current 12-week ban, with exceptions.
Driving the news: "It provides common-sense exceptions for the life of the mother, incest and rape, which gives help to mothers and stops cruel late-term abortions," Robinson said in the ad.
What they're saying: Asked about Robinson's reversal on his position, his campaign spokesperson said "the legislature has already spoken on the issue."
- "As governor, Mark Robinson will work to make North Carolina a destination for life by building a culture that does more to support women and families that choose life, including bolstering adoption, as well as foster and child care," Robinson campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan said in a statement to Axios.
Catch up quick: Robinson's Democratic opponent in the governor's race, Attorney General Josh Stein, aired an ad earlier this summer featuring a compilation of statements Robinson has made on abortion, including one in which Robinson said abortion is about "killing the child because you weren't responsible to keep your skirt down."
- He also said "there can be no compromise on abortion."
- Robinson's campaign responded, saying Stein was "twisting words," CBS17 reported.
Between the lines: Elections in North Carolina are won on the margins, often by just a few points.
- That means both candidates tend to have to walk a fine line on issues like abortion, to appeal to as many voters as possible.
- The number of Americans who support abortion is at record highs, with around 54% of those polled by Gallup in May saying they identify as "pro-choice." Around 41% identify as "pro-life."
- Robinson's latest ad appears to an attempt to thread the needle of appealing to more moderate voters, along with the more conservative Republican base.
The other side: Stein has said that if he's elected, he would veto any attempts by the legislature to further restrict abortion or "criminalize women's freedom over their own bodies."
- Stein has also said he supports state law as it was before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, which allowed abortions up to "fetal viability." He supports an exception if the mother's life is at risk, per CBS17.
- "Mark Robinson's latest ad is just the latest example of him running away from his extreme and toxic stance on abortion," Stein's campaign said in a response. "Robinson's true goal as Governor is clear: a total abortion ban with no exceptions. Just listen to his own words."
- The campaign also pointed to Robinson removing references to abortion from his campaign website, as NBC reported, saying he stopped using the "a-word."
The intrigue: Stein's campaign has been outspending Robinson on TV advertising by about double in recent weeks, so Robinson's campaign is betting that his latest ad will resonate with voters.