Mark Robinson, at Fayetteville Motor Speedway, makes first appearance since CNN report

This story was updated to change a video.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson made no mention of a CNN report earlier this week he described as “ salacious tabloid gossip” during a meet and greet Saturday in Fayetteville, his first public appearance in the wake of allegations he made troubling posts on an adult website.

Robinson, a Republican who is running for North Carolina governor against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, was at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway just days after the CNN report alleged he posted on an adult website and called himself a "perv" and a "black NAZI."

He denied the accusations about making posts on an adult website on his campaign social media pages Thursday.

His meet-and-greet at the speedway coincided with the Carlton Lamm Memorial Race.

Robinson, who spoke for about five minutes and offered a prayer before the race, did not directly mention the CNN report or respond to repeated questions from reporters at the event.

"We’re going to focus on the issues that you are concerned with while everybody else wants to focus on the garbage and the trash," Robinson told hundreds in Saturday night's crowd in Fayetteville.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, was in Wilmington earlier Saturday, but he made no mention of the allegations against Robinson. Robinson has appeared at previous Trump rallies in North Carolina.

After about two minutes of remarks, Robinson rode in a golf cart through the race track's pit area, before meeting with the crowd in the stands for about 5 minutes after the races started, with his wife, Yolanda, along his side.

He returned to talk to people in the stands and take photos at about 7 p.m. for another 30 minutes.

'He knows his base pretty well'

Shortly before Robinson was expected to appear at 6 p.m., the stands were filling up with people wearing shirts supporting racing, but few appeared to wear campaign-related clothing after the race started.

Wearing a Mark Robinson baseball hat, Fayetteville resident Justin Paul said he was at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway for Robinson, and being at the race track was a plus. He said it’s been about 10 years since he’s been at the track and called it a "two-for-one" event.

"It means a lot for him to stop in Fayetteville," Paul said. "I would say that he knows his base pretty well because the average race fan is a blue-collar person that appreciates hard work and their freedoms. You can see the signs around the track coming in of Trump and Robinson."

Paul said he thinks the CNN report on Robinson is “desperate Democrats," and that Robinson should remain as the Republican nominee for governor.

"Anything can be made up about anybody pretty much these days," he said. "To an uneducated voter, it will probably be a challenge, but to the educated voter, they can read between the lines."

Paul said that he is an associate pastor and believes Robinson represents good morals and values.

"Even if I wasn’t a pastor, as a Christian, he represents what I believe in, where government needs to get out of the way of restricting things and go back to regulating," he said.

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Larry Schiebe of Fayetteville said he was at the Speedway to support his grandson Ethan Wilson, who was racing. Schiebe said Wilson has been racing for more than 15 years. Of Robinson, he said he doesn’t think he’d be too good for governor and didn’t elaborate.

Schiebe didn't have an opinion about Robinson campaigning at the event but said his main focus was to support his grandson.

As Robinson arrived around 6:15 p.m., a woman in the stands shouted out, "Governor!"

Announcer Kip Thompson introduced Mark Robinson, calling the Speedway the "home of the next governor, Mark Robinson."

Robinson told those in attendance that while North Carolina has had job losses, the state has bounced back, and he's committed to helping the economy.

“You are the reason why I'm running for governor," Robinson told a crowd that appeared largely supportive and clapped and cheered after he spoke. "We're not running for governor to be a big shot. We're not running for governor to have a title, to get driven and show up around. We are running for governor to work for the people of North Carolina, because we are the people of North Carolina.”

'Everybody's got a past'

Dale Jones, who said he is from the Rocky Mount area, said he originally came to the Speedway for the racing but is a fan of Robinson.

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Jones met Robinson at the chain-link fence asking to speak with him before Robinson started mingling with the crowd.

"I kind of know him, and so I just wanted to speak to him, because I know how people have been negative and everything," Jones said.

Jones didn't say whether he believed the CNN reports, but said, "everybody's got a past and grows up."

"What you’re doing now, what you’re doing today — that to me is more important," he said.

Jones said he thinks Robinson should not drop out of the race and is still the best candidate for governor and thinks he'll work for the residents of North Carolina.

"I think he speaks the truth. I think he tells it like it is. I think he’s genuine and wants to help people regardless of where you’re at," Jones said. "Some people are wanting your vote and will tell you anything to get it. I think he wants your vote, but at the same time, he wants to help you, and to me that’s more important."

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Mark Robinson campaigns in Fayetteville amid scandal