North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, while on a political rise that led to his Republican gubernatorial nomination, has faced questions regarding his past financial struggles, including bankruptcy filings and failure to pay federal income taxes for five consecutive years starting in 1998. Robinson, in his 2022 autobiography, detailed his journey with his wife opening a successful daycare center in 2000, which eventually led to financial stability but omitted the bankruptcy filings that occurred shortly after the business’s inception.
The bankruptcy records obtained by ABC News reveal a more dire financial situation for Robinson and his wife, Yolanda, as they faced repossession of vehicles, impending foreclosure of their home, and debts surpassing $1 million. Despite this tumultuous period, Robinson ultimately filed his back taxes in May 2003 but lost bankruptcy protection later that year due to failure to comply with the court’s requirements. While Robinson’s campaign attributed the disclosures to Democratic efforts to distract voters, the lieutenant governor’s history of financial obstacles contrasts sharply with his calls for personal responsibility and criticism of social safety nets.
Despite the challenges Robinson faced early on, his political rise has been marked by controversy, including criticism for mocking Parkland shooting survivors and lacking legislative and business experience. However, he has received a glowing endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who dubbed him “Martin Luther King on steroids” and even claimed Robinson was “better than Martin Luther King.” The dichotomy between Robinson’s past financial struggles and his current stance on personal responsibility and social programs raises questions about his narrative and political motivations as he seeks to become North Carolina’s next governor.