There have only been three Republican governors in North Carolina in the last century, but new political analysis strengthens the possibility this election might secure a fourth. The Cook Political Report recategorized the race from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up” this week.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is facing off against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. Both are looking to succeed Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC), who is nearing the end of his second, and last, term. 

The Cook Political Report attributes its shift in the race’s competitiveness to Robinson’s large fundraising numbers. 

“Robinson is raising actual money — more than $10.5 million so far,” the analysis said. “And according to both Democrats and Republicans, he’s on track to bring in the most money ever for a Republican gubernatorial nominee.”

However, by the end of 2023, Stein had raised nearly $17 million. As of last month, Stein raised about $19 million this election cycle, beating out the $11 million raised by Trump-endorsed Robinson. 

The Cook Political Report released polling on Tuesday showing that Stein and Robinson are tied at 37%, with 17% of respondents selecting undecided. The Hill-Decision Desk HQ’s polling average found Stein and Robinson were basically tied, with Stein getting 40.5% of the vote and Robinson getting 40.2%. 

In the past, Robinson has caught flak for comments he’s made about Jewish people and women. During a 2020 event hosted while he was running for lieutenant governor, Robinson said on camera that he would “absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldn’t vote.” 

“Ultimately, this comes down to whether Robinson’s divisive statements will alienate swing voters — especially suburban women — in the Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas enough to allow Stein to sufficiently outrun Biden and overcome Democrats’ weaknesses with young voters and voters of color,” the analysis noted.

However, that comment was taken out of context because he was asked by conservative commentator Candace Owens which time period he would want to revisit — “one where women couldn’t vote or one where black people were swinging from trees?” 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In response, he said the period when women couldn’t vote since Republicans at the time were fighting for real social change. 

Robinson also made a comment on a podcast in which he said Jewish bankers were one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.