Budd endorses Mark Robinson in NC governor race | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal. The author of this post is Alex Baltzegar.

    On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign announced that North Carolina's junior U.S. Senator, Ted Budd, has endorsed Robinson in his bid for governor.

    "We need a governor focused on the bottom line for North Carolina families, a strong voice for all who live paycheck to paycheck, and wonder whether their kids will find a job," Budd said in a video endorsement. "Mark Robinson has the courage we need as governor. He's a man of faith and conviction, and he hasn't spent his whole life in politics. He's seen adversity, and he's risen above it. The American dream is engrained in Mark Robinson, and he'll preserve it for the next generation."

    Robinson is the clear frontrunner governor in the Republican primary. He will face off against former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, former state Senator Andy Wells, and recent Forward Party Chairman Jesse Thomas.

    In 2022, Robinson endorsed Budd in his bid for the U.S. Senate, much to the dismay of Mark Walker, who had previously endorsed Robinson in his bid for Lt. Governor back in 2020.

    "[I am] thrilled to receive [an] endorsement from Senator Ted Budd, a staunch defender of our constitutional rights and a devoted servant to the people of North Carolina," Robinson said on social media. "[I am] honored by your trust, Senator Budd! Let's keep working for a prosperous NC!"

    In the latest polling, Robinson leads Walker 44 percent to 7 percent, followed by Folwell at 4 percent, and 38 percent still undecided.

    Despite a large GOP field, the Democrats' only candidate so far is N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein.

    Stein has fundraised an impressive amount so far, over $8 million, although he was recently scammed out of over $50,000 of campaign funds that has not been recovered.

    Dan Bishop, who recently announced his run for attorney general, has also endorsed Robinson.

    Both Robinson and Budd have been staunch Trump allies. Back in April, Budd gave Trump an early endorsement in the Republican presidential primary.