Robinson calls Stein attack ad weaponization of gov’t

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson called opponent Josh Stein’s recent attack ads the “weaponization of government” during a speech at the Trump rally in Asheville this week, bringing the ongoing controversy behind political campaign smears front and center. 

Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic candidate for governor, slammed Robinson and his wife for allegedly mismanaging a childcare center in Durham they owned nearly 20 years ago. Called “Unsafe,” the ad slams the Robinsons for an unsanitary environment that endangered children. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cited the facility for a lack of supervision and uncovered electrical outlets, among other issues spotlighted in the Stein ad.

In response, Robinson brought concerns to the stage at the Trump rally regarding Stein’s wife, who currently works at DHHS. He said people should be able to work, earn a living, and run a business without fear of reprisal from their own government, adding that it’s bad at the state and federal levels.

“And we have got to stop the weaponization of our government. It is dangerous. My wife and I have felt the sting of it,” said Robinson. “My wife ran a successful business for almost 10 years, and it wasn’t until some folks inside of that business who don’t like me found out who I was, and then the games began, the harassment began. Now we find out that my opponent’s wife is deeply embedded into the very agency that holds sway over my wife’s business.”

Multiple letters have gone back and forth between the Robinson and Stein campaigns. Lawyers on behalf of the Robinson campaign demanded they stop airing what they argue is a false attack ad. However, the Stein campaign is defending the ad and refused to take it down in a response letter sent by the Elias Law Group. 

SEE ALSO: Robinson sends cease and desist letter to Stein over alleged false ad allegation

Robinson’s Campaign Manager, Mike Lonergan, said it’s “no surprise” that Stein is using Hillary Clinton’s top lawyer, Marc Elias, in the legal scrabble. The law firm is also behind effort to bar third parties from attaining ballot access with the State Board of Elections

SEE ALSO: Legislators explore outside influences affecting the State Board of Elections

“North Carolina voters deserve better than dishonest ‘dramatic visualizations’ from a dishonest politician who has been previously investigated by a prosecutor from his own party for false attacks against his political opponent,” Lonergan told the Carolina Journal. “These lies are just more proof that Stein will do and say anything to get elected. We renew our demand that Stein and his campaign cease and desist from these knowingly false attacks, or as they say, ‘dramatic visualizations.’”

The issue brings to light a similar situation Stein faced in 2020 against Republican opponent for Attorney General Jim O’Neill. Stein and Jim O’Neill clashed during their campaigns for state attorney general over accusations involving untested sexual assault evidence collection kits. Each accused the other of failing to do his job in dealing with the “rape kits.” 

In a complaint, O’Neill objected to “a single line from a single Stein Campaign political advertisement.”

The Stein campaign disputed the allegations and defended their claims citing protected political speech under the First Amendment. The justification raised questions as to the role deception plays in political attacks.

The post Robinson calls Stein attack ad weaponization of gov’t first appeared on Carolina Journal.