North Carolina's Republican Lt Gov Mark Robinson launches campaign to replace Democrat Gov Roy Cooper

North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announced 2024 candidacy for governor to replace outgoing Democrat Roy Cooper, who cannot seek a third consecutive term.

Robinson, a political newcomer elected lieutenant governor in 2020, threw continued support behind Republicans U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, serving North Carolina's 8th District, and U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, the Trump-backed candidate who defeated Democrat Cheri Beasley in November, filling the coveted seat vacated by Republican Sen. Richard Burr in the battleground state.  Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. 

"This runaway spending by the liberal elite in Washington is creating devastating effects on the cost of living, and its everyday North Carolinians that are paying the price. We must continue to support people like Congressman Bishop and Sen. Budd, who are fighting against these terrible policies," Robinson said Saturday. "Here in the state, we deserve and need to have a governor who will lead the charge against irresponsible liberal policies that would hurt our economy and our state. Government should work hand in hand with business to promote success. Not attack it. Here in North Carolina, we’ve seen what happens when we implement responsible fiscal policies thanks to Republican leadership. Thanks to Republican leadership in North Carolina, we went from being billions in debt to the federal government to being named the best state in the country to do business. That does not happen overnight. It happened because of hard work. We must continue to be a state that encourages businesses to relocate here. But we need to ensure we’re not just providing economic incentives."