North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Hospitalized with Burns

Republican North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whose gubernatorial bid has been marred by allegations of racist and sexually explicit online comments, was hospitalized with burns on Friday.

Robinson's campaign spokesperson, Mike Lonergan, confirmed the incident in a statement, stating that the 56-year-old politician suffered second-degree burns during a campaign appearance at the Mayberry Truck Show in Mt. Airy. Robinson received treatment at the Northern Regional Hospital in Mt. Airy and was in "good spirits," according to Lonergan. He is expected to resume campaigning on Saturday morning.

The campaign did not provide further details about the burns or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

This news comes after a CNN report last week revealed that Robinson posted inappropriate comments on a pornographic website's message board between 2008 and 2012, often under the username "black NAZI." Since the report's publication, several key members of Robinson's campaign staff have resigned, including his campaign manager, general consultant, senior advisor, finance director, and deputy campaign manager. He has also seemingly lost support among Republican leadership.

Robinson did not appear with former President Donald Trump at the two North Carolina rallies Trump held since the CNN report. When asked if he would withdraw his endorsement of Robinson, Trump responded, "I don't know the situation." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, when asked if Republicans should halt support for Robinson's campaign, said, "It won't surprise you to know I'm happy that there's not a Senate race in North Carolina."

Despite the controversy, Robinson has vowed to remain in the race. "This is an election about policies, not personalities," he wrote on social media Wednesday. "Now is not the time for intra-party squabbling and nonsense.