Steady ascent or sudden splash? North Carolina governor’s race features men who took different paths

ROXBORO, N.C. — One candidate is an Ivy League-educated attorney who over 25 years amassed allies as he climbed North Carolina’s Democratic ladder. “And he’s passionate about the things that we’re passionate about.” But GOP primary rivals State Treasurer Dale Folwell and trial attorney Bill Graham question whether Robinson can win a general election following harsh comments he’s made in office or earlier on social media. Speaking generally about Robinson, Graham — who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2008 — said that people “see the problem with having him at the top of the ticket and what a disaster it would be for the Republican Party.” Folwell, his other rival, said Robinson is ill-prepared to become governor and calls him “history’s latest example of someone who’s trying to rise to power by spewing hate.” Graham, who has committed to spending $5 million of his personal funds in the race, has run television ads that flag a 2018 Robinson social media post discussing Jews and the Holocaust as evidence that he’s not suitable to serve as governor and doesn’t support Israel. Stein mentioned Robinson prominently in his stump speech outside UNC-Chapel Hill’s student union, warning students that “right-wing politicians” are ”taking a sledgehammer” to the state’s foundation. In an interview, Morgan criticized Stein for “hiding behind canned videos and orchestrated press conferences” and said Cooper’s endorsement of Stein in the primary violated the neutrality expected of party leaders.