North Carolina GOP Candidate Mark Robinson, a Harsh Abortion Critic, Reveals His Wife Once Had the Procedure
In a striking move that has drawn significant attention in North Carolina's gubernatorial race, Republican nominee Mark Robinson has released a new television advertisement in which he and his wife publicly acknowledge that she underwent an abortion approximately 30 years ago. This announcement comes at a pivotal time when abortion remains a contentious issue in American politics, particularly among Republican candidates who are often perceived as staunch opponents of the procedure.
The Advertisement’s Key Messages
In the ad, which features both Robinson and his wife speaking directly to the camera, the couple addresses a deeply personal decision that they claim was not made lightly. Robinson states, "Thirty years ago, my wife and I made a very difficult decision. We had an abortion." While the ad refrains from delving into specific details about the circumstances that led to the procedure, it highlights a stark contradiction between Robinson's past statements on abortion and his current advocacy for existing North Carolina laws.
Later in the advertisement, Robinson affirms his support for the state's current abortion restrictions, which permit the procedure only within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and offer exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. "That's why I stand by our current law," he insists, signaling that he is aligning himself with the established legal framework.
Controversial Past Statements
Despite this effort to soften his public image regarding abortion, Robinson's previous comments have sparked backlash from various quarters. During a Facebook Live session in 2019, he controversially remarked, “Abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers... It is about killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.” These comments have resurfaced in attack ads run by Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein, who is campaigning to succeed current Democratic governor Roy Cooper.
Stein's campaign leveraged Robinson's earlier remarks to paint him as extreme and out of touch with North Carolina voters, using footage from the 2019 stream to illustrate their point. As Stein asserts, “If North Carolinians want to know where Mark Robinson really stands on abortion, they should listen to every other comment he’s made on the issue before today.”
A Shift in Strategy or Sincere Change?
Robinson's latest ad marks what appears to be a strategic shift in message delivery. Earlier in the gubernatorial primary, he expressed intentions to further reduce the 12-week limit on abortions, saying, "We’ve got it down to 12 weeks, the next goal is to get it down to six, and then just keep moving from there." Additionally, in 2018, he labeled abortion as both "murder" and "genocide" on social media.
When questioned about how he reconciles the heartfelt narrative in the ad with his previous vitriolic statements, Robinson’s campaign spokesperson, Mark Lonergan, sidestepped the issue. Instead, Lonergan reiterated that as governor, Robinson aims to make North Carolina "a destination for life,” emphasizing support for women and families through avenues like adoption and improved childcare services.
Context Among National GOP Trends
Robinson is not alone in this approach; the landscape of Republican candidates navigating the issue of abortion is evolving. In recent months, several other GOP candidates have also embarked on similar strategies, revealing personal stories of past abortions. Sam Brown, a GOP Senate nominee from Nevada, and candidates in Washington and New Hampshire have all launched television ads emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the status quo on state abortion laws. This indicates a broader trend among Republicans seeking to mitigate backlash over potentially extreme views on abortion following extensive discussions on reproductive rights.
In New Hampshire, for instance, former Senator Kelly Ayotte has released an ad stating her full support for the state’s abortion law, while former Representative Dave Reichert of Washington has reassured voters he would not alter existing legislation on the issue.
Conclusion: A Balancing Act in a Shifting Political Landscape
Mark Robinson's revelation regarding his wife's past abortion is a significant moment that reflects ongoing tensions and shifts within the Republican Party, particularly concerning the deeply polarizing topic of abortion. As candidates navigate these treacherous waters, their strategies will likely continue to evolve in response to voter sentiment and criticism, as both Republicans and Democrats grapple with the implications of personal narratives and public policies in the ongoing discourse about reproductive rights. With the gubernatorial race heating up, Robinson's ad may resonate with some, but it undeniably complicates his message—forcing voters to reconsider the depth of his positions against the backdrop of his and his wife’s personal experiences.