Scandal-plagued GOP candidate shirked hurricane preparation duties

On Sept. 24, as Hurricane Helene approached North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper asked for officials in the state’s executive branch to approve his call for emergency powers. 

Records show that Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for governor this year, was the only member of the state’s nine-member Council of State who had not voted by the following morning. Cooper needs the council’s approval to exercise specific emergency powers. And local news outlet WRAL News reports that even though Robinson was missing in action, he has continued to attack Cooper’s response to the storm, which has killed dozens in the state.

“The time for politics is over. We are talking about saving people’s lives here,” Robinson tweeted on Tuesday. “North Carolina must follow the lead of successful governors like [Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis]. Cut the red tape. Stop waiting on federal resources and allow private industry in to assist with rescue and recovery efforts, and repair infrastructure immediately.”