North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running as the Republican nominee for governor, has recently undergone a significant staffing change within his campaign team. This development comes in the wake of a controversy where Robinson was reported to have referred to himself as a "black NAZI" on an online porn forum, as revealed by a CNN investigation. Despite denying the allegations, Robinson announced that several key members of his campaign have voluntarily stepped down from their positions.

Among those who have left their roles with the campaign are his top adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, finance director Heather Whillier, and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk. Pogorzelski confirmed the reports, stating that he and others had decided to depart from the campaign on their own accord. The departure of these key figures comes at a crucial time for Robinson, as his poll numbers had started to decline prior to the recent controversy.

Robinson addressed the situation in a statement, highlighting that past polls had underestimated Republican support in North Carolina over several cycles. He expressed confidence in his campaign's standing, noting that a significant portion of the electorate is still undecided as they intensify their efforts across the state. Despite the challenges and scrutiny he has faced, Robinson remains resolute in his belief that his campaign is well-positioned to secure victory on the upcoming election day on Nov. 5.

Former President Trump had previously endorsed Robinson during the Republican primary for governor. However, during a recent campaign event in Wilmington, N.C., Trump made no mention of the lieutenant governor. This development comes as Democrats see a potential path to victory in North Carolina following the recent controversies surrounding Robinson. The election landscape in North Carolina continues to evolve, with Robinson navigating through challenges as he strives to maintain his campaign momentum amidst the ongoing scrutiny.