NC Senate leader Berger endorses Mark Robinson for governor. Why he backs GOP frontrunner
One of the most powerful politicians in North Carolina has made an endorsement for governor.
Republican Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters on Wednesday that he supports Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the 2024 Republican primary for governor.
Berger joined Robinson on stage when he announced his run in April, but stopped short of an endorsement until he was asked about it during a non-voting Senate session on Wednesday.
“I think he is the right person at the right time,” Berger said, explaining his endorsement.
“I just think he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think philosophically, he’s generally in the right place. I think he has been supportive of many of the things that we’ve done here at the General Assembly. I think he works hard, has a great deal of support within the Republican Party,” Berger said.
Robinson’s spokesperson told The News & Observer that Robinson hopes to continue his partnership with Berger and other Republican legislators.
“As governor, Lt. Gov. Robinson hopes to be able to continue partnering with Senator Berger and Republican lawmakers to keep moving our state forward and making North Carolina and even better place to live, work and raise a family,” Robinson campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan said.
Robinson made history as the state’s first Black lieutenant governor when he was elected in 2020, and would be the state’s first Black governor if he wins the 2024 primary and general election. He is running in the primary against State Treasurer Dale Folwell, businessman Bill Graham and former state Sen. Andy Wells.
One of them will face off with either Attorney General Josh Stein or recently retired N.C. Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan. Stein is the frontrunner on the Democratic side, as is Robinson among Republicans.
Berger on Robinson’s anti-LGBTQ+ comments
Robinson has made a series of disparaging comments about LGBTQ+ people before and during his time as lieutenant governor. Berger said “they’re not things that I would have said.”
“I don’t want to get into any specific comment,” Berger added.
“But I do think that in terms of policy that he would support, in terms of support for the General Assembly majority over the past years, and support within the Republican Party, are all good reasons to be behind him as a gubernatorial candidate,” Berger said.
Berger doesn’t see Robinson’s LGBTQ+ comments having a “measurable, negative impact” on the state when it comes to recruiting business. Berger described Robinson as “down-to-earth” and said he would do a good job as governor.
Berger on other 2024 GOP candidates
Robinson has spoken at former President Donald Trump’s rallies and is from the MAGA wing of the Republican Party. He is co-hosting an event with Trump in Florida in December, the National Review reported.
Berger, however, has not endorsed Trump like his counterpart in the other General Assembly chamber, House Speaker Tim Moore. Moore endorsed Trump in October, shortly before announcing that he is running for Congress. Berger hasn’t endorsed anyone in the Republican presidential primary, and may not.
“You know, I think former President Trump is going to be the Republican nominee. And I think he will be the Republican nominee whether I endorse him or not. I don’t know that I’ll get involved in that,” Berger told reporters on Wednesday at the Legislative Building.
For the person to replace Robinson, the Republican lieutenant governor primary has a crowded field and includes multiple candidates Berger knows well. He said he doesn’t plan to endorse in that race, though several candidates are “highly qualified,” and he will support the GOP nominee whoever it is.
On Moore’s congressional run, Berger said he thinks the speaker will make “a very good congressman.”
“I think he should win that race. And I think he’s well on his way to to doing that,” Berger said. Moore is running against Pat Harrigan in the primary for the 14th Congressional District.
Berger himself is filing to run for reelection next week.
This story was originally published November 29, 2023 at 1:52 PM.
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