Robinson formally endorses Weatherman in GOP lieutenant governor runoff

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) formally endorsed Hal Weatherman in the GOP runoff for lieutenant governor on Thursday, just as early voting began.

In a social media post Thursday morning, Robinson, who is running for governor this year, urged his supporters to back Weatherman to succeed him.

As CBS 17 first reported last week, Robinson has told people at campaign events he’s planning to vote for Weatherman in the runoff against Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill. At the time he said he was stopping short of making a formal endorsement.

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“If you support me for governor, give me the Lt. Governor I want by my side. In the May 14th runoff election, go vote and vote for Hal Weatherman for Lt. Governor. We will make a great team,” Robinson said on Thursday.

This is Weatherman’s first campaign for statewide office. He served as chief of staff to former Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. O’Neill previously ran for attorney general in 2020, narrowly losing to Democrat Josh Stein.

Weatherman finished first in the initial 11-candidate primary on March 5, but he fell short of the 30-percent threshold necessary to avoid a runoff.

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic state Sen. Rachel Hunt in November.

The early voting period for the runoff lasts from Apr. 25 to May 11. The second primary is on May 14.

To view your polling place for early voting, click here.

In addition to the lieutenant governor’s race, Republicans will also choose their nominee for state Auditor between Jack Clark and Dave Boliek. They will also choose the nominee for the 13th Congressional District between Brad Knott and Kelly Daughtry.

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