GREENSBORO, N.C. — Four senior officials have stepped down from their positions on Mark Robinson's campaign for the N.C. governor seat, the campaign has confirmed to WFMY News 2.
According to the campaign, the following people stepped down:
Conrad Pogorzelski III, general consultant and senior advisor
Chris Rodriguez, campaign manager
Heather Whillier, finance director
Jason Rizk, deputy campaign director
The sudden departure of several key personnel members comes in the wake of a CNN report that came out Thursday that alleged Robinson made numerous comments of a racial, misogynistic, and sexually graphic nature on a pornography website's message board several years ago.
Robinson has fervently denied that he made the posts, accusing CNN of using artificial intelligence to fabricate the messages. He also said he wouldn't drop out of the race for governor against opponent Josh Stein.
Last week, Stein declined to accept an invitation to debate Robinson ahead of the November election.
Many Republican leaders across North Carolina have stayed steadfast in their support of Robinson, a Greensboro native.
"Unsubstantiated allegations have been directed at Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, propagated through the lap-dog media without citing any sources," said Guilford County Republican Party Chair Chris Meadows.
Others, however, have called for Robinson to prove he didn't send the messages.
"The comments reported in the article are disgusting," said Ted Budd, U.S. Senator for North Carolina. "Mark Robinson says they are not from him. He needs to prove that to the voters."
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