North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Treated for Burns After Campaign Incident

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson was treated for second-degree burns on Friday after accidentally touching the exhaust pipe of a “big rig” while at the Mayberry Truck Show and Parade in Mount Airy. He shared details of the incident with supporters during a campaign event the following day.

Robinson recounted the moment: “I was getting out of the truck, and several of my fans and supporters were coming around. I was trying to exit without running into them, and doggone if I didn’t lay my hand on that tailpipe.” He showed attendees his bandaged hand and reassured them, “I am fine. It’s just a minor second-degree burn, and it is just fine.”

Mike Lonergan, Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign communications director, confirmed that Robinson received treatment for his injuries at Northern Regional Hospital after the incident. He added that Robinson was in good spirits, thankful for the support he received, and looking forward to returning to the campaign trail.

As the Republican nominee for governor, Robinson had been actively campaigning throughout the state, with several stops on Friday before concluding at the Mayberry event. NewsNation was the first to report on his hospitalization, which was later confirmed by a source close to his campaign.

This mishap comes at a challenging time for Robinson, who is facing backlash from recent revelations about his past comments on a pornography website’s message board. Following these revelations, many prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have distanced themselves from Robinson. Trump notably did not mention Robinson during a recent campaign event in North Carolina, despite having previously endorsed him.

In addition to the fallout from his past comments, national Republican groups have withdrawn financial support for Robinson’s campaign. The atmosphere around his campaign has become increasingly tumultuous, with several key staff members stepping down, and his top aide reportedly set to resign.

As Robinson navigates these challenges, a new CNN poll highlights the precarious state of his campaign.  The poll shows Democratic candidate Josh Stein leading Robinson 53% to 36% among likely voters, suggesting that the race is slipping away from the lieutenant governor.

Despite these setbacks, Robinson remains committed to his campaign. His ability to engage with voters and rally support will be crucial in the coming weeks as he seeks to recover from both his physical injuries and the political turbulence surrounding him. The outcome of this race will be closely watched, particularly as Robinson aims to regain momentum and restore confidence among Republican voters in North Carolina.