Republican Mark Robinson will be North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor, according to projections from the Associated Press cited by local news.
Robinson defeated Democrat Yvonne Lewis Holley, who also could have made history as North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor. Robinson had a lead of more than three percentage points with roughly 75% of ballots counted Wednesday morning, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
BLOOMBERG CLIMATE GROUP DUMPS $2.5M INTO NC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RACE
However, Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, will maintain his seat after facing a challenge from North Carolina's current Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a Republican. Robinson's win means that North Carolina's governor and lieutenant governor will once again represent different parties.
Republican Mark Robinson ran for North Carolina lieutenant governor. (Photo courtesy of Robinson for NC)
Robinson ran as a political outsider. He attracted viral attention in 2018 when he delivered an impassioned speech to the city council of Greensboro, N.C., about gun rights.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Our message is so much more than the Second Amendment, which is a crucial issue,” Robinson told “Fox & Friends First” after winning his primary in March. “It’s a message that touches on all the topics conservative North Carolinians are concerned with today.”
Mike Bloomberg's climate change group dumped $2.5 million into the lieutenant governor race during its final stretch to support Holley.
More from Politics
Fox News Politics
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.