Josh Stein wins North Carolina governor's race, CBS News projects

Washington — Josh Stein, nan North Carolina lawyer general, will conclusion Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson successful nan state's gubernatorial race, CBS News projects. 

Stein, a Democrat, is group to go nan first Jewish politician successful nan state's history, and antecedently served successful nan authorities Senate earlier becoming lawyer general. His projected triumph comes arsenic his force was roiled successful scandal, pinch a slew of inflammatory comments unearthed connected a number of topics since nan run began. 

Robinson, who gained prominence successful Republican circles aft he delivered a viral pro-gun authorities speech, has made inflammatory comments crossed a number of topics — from Islam to abortion to feminism — but he's been particularly vocal connected LGBTQ+ issues. 

Since nan primary, Robinson's run had been marred by nan resurgence of posts he's made online, which spurred interest among Republicans astir their nominee's prospects successful nan coming election. Then, successful September, a CNN investigation shook nan gubernatorial race, tying Robinson to a slew of incendiary, definitive and racist comments connected a pornographic website much than a decade ago. Robinson denied nan CNN report, while insisting that he wouldn't driblet retired of nan race. 

Robinson, who would person been nan first Black politician of North Carolina, was endorsed by erstwhile President Donald Trump up of nan primary, who called him "Martin Luther King connected steroids." In nan aftermath of nan CNN report, nan GOP mostly distanced itself from nan lieutenant governor, while Robinson lost run staff, and advertisement buys for him were not renewed.

With nan projected victory, Stein is group to switch Gov. Roy Cooper, a term-limited Democrat. Democrats person often won gubernatorial races successful North Carolina, but Republicans were eager to flip nan governor's mansion this year, pinch voters having elected Republicans to a number of statewide offices successful caller years. 

North Carolina is simply a awesome battleground authorities this cycle, pinch among nan closest margins of immoderate authorities Trump won successful 2020. At nan time, Trump's triumph seemed to group up Republican victories down nan ticket. But experts person questioned whether Robinson's beingness connected nan summons could wounded nan erstwhile president this year.

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• North Carolina