Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, head of GOP governors, pulls Mark Robinson endorsement

NASHVILLE − Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pulled his support for embattled North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's race for governor after reports that Robinson made racist and salacious remarks on pornographic websites prior to his political career.

"Gov. Lee is no longer supporting Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's gubernatorial bid," Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, in an email on Monday.

Lee had been scheduled to travel to North Carolina this week for a Robinson fundraiser, but Lee's office confirmed Friday that the $500 per ticket event was canceled.

Lee's decision is a U-turnfrom an endorsement he made as chair of the Republican Governor's Association in March, shortly after Robinson won the North Carolina primary.

"North Carolina families want someone whose conservative policies will deliver results by expanding opportunity, security and freedom. From investing in safe neighborhoods to driving economic prosperity, Mark Robinson will put the people of North Carolina first," Lee said in a statement at the time.

More: A new campaign manager, incendiary comments: What we know about Mark Robinson scandal

The RGA's current ad buy in North Carolina will expire Tuesday, and no further placements have been made, a spokesperson said Monday, according to multiple media reports.

An explosive CNN report last week detailed numerous inflammatory remarks Robinson made on social media and pornographic websites before becoming involved in politics. According to CNN’s reporting, Robinson years ago declared himself a “black NAZI!”, made comments supporting slavery, sharing that “I would certainly buy a few,” and shared graphic sexual fantasies and stories in comments made on the pornographic website “Nude Africa” between 2008 and 2012.

More: Staffers resign from Mark Robinson's campaign for North Carolina governor amid scandal

Robinson has denied ever having made the comments, denouncing them as “salacious tabloid trash” leaked by his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. He has vowed not to drop out of the race.

“You know my words, you know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before,” Robinson said in a video Thursday.

An email address belonging to Robinson was also previously registered with Ashley Madison, a website for married people seeking affairs, Politico reported Thursday. Robinson’s campaign denies that he ever created or used the account.

Several top staffers for Robinson's campaign resigned over the weekend, Politico reported.

The Republican Governor's Association did not respond to The Tennessean's request for comment on the matter.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pulls endorsement for Mark Robinson in NC