Illinois GOP Fundraiser Sparks Concerns Over Controversial Guest Speaker

Event featuring North Carolina gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson raises internal GOP fears of backlash as the party struggles to regain credibility in a blue state

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark RobinsonPhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

CHICAGO — A Republican fundraiser scheduled for later this month in the North Shore has drawn internal criticism over its keynote speaker, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Robinson, the GOP's nominee for governor in North Carolina, has been the subject of growing controversy following revelations about his past statements and behavior, leading some Illinois Republicans to question the event’s impact on the party's rebuilding efforts in a predominantly Democratic state.

Robinson’s remarks, made over a decade ago, were resurfaced in a report by CNN on Thursday. The report detailed comments Robinson allegedly posted online, referring to himself as a “black NAZI!” and expressing support for the reinstatement of slavery. Additionally, he was said to have compared Adolf Hitler favorably to former President Barack Obama. In another post, Robinson reportedly discussed in graphic detail an incident from his youth where he watched women in public gym showers without their knowledge.

Robinson has publicly denied making these comments, though the controversy has only grown. According to a separate report from Politico, Robinson’s email was found registered on Ashley Madison, a website for married individuals seeking extramarital affairs. While a spokesperson confirmed the email’s authenticity, they denied Robinson’s involvement with the platform.

These revelations have compounded concerns among national Republicans about Robinson’s ability to compete against Democratic rival Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, in the upcoming gubernatorial race. Despite being endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Robinson has consistently polled behind Stein, and many Republicans worry that the latest reports will further harm his candidacy as well as Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.

Robinson has faced criticism for several controversial statements made over the years, including social media posts in which he called the Holocaust “hogwash” and expressed a desire to return to a time when women were not allowed to vote. Despite this history, Robinson was invited to speak at a North Shore GOP fundraiser set for Sept. 29 in Kenilworth. The event was organized by members of the Illinois Republican Party, including former Lake County GOP Chair Mark Shaw.

Tickets for the fundraiser range from $50 to $100, with sponsorships exceeding $5,000. Proceeds from the event are expected to support Trump’s campaign efforts in the battleground state of Wisconsin. Recent campaign finance records reveal that Shaw, along with other event hosts, contributed a combined $50,600 to the 10th Congressional District GOP organization’s political fund, reportedly as a payment to Robinson’s campaign.

Shaw has remained largely silent on the matter. He did not respond to requests for comment on the upcoming fundraiser, nor did state GOP Chair Kathy Salvi. Shaw’s leadership role within the Illinois Republican Party has been under scrutiny following his ousting as vice chair in June, after he unsuccessfully attempted to secure Trump delegate slots for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The decision to host Robinson has caused frustration among Illinois Republicans trying to present a unified front ahead of future elections. Some party insiders fear that Robinson’s controversial background could undermine efforts to appeal to a broader electorate, particularly in a state that leans heavily Democratic.

Former state Republican chairman Pat Brady, a longtime critic of Trump, voiced his dismay over the event. “It’s absolutely counterproductive to what the party is trying to accomplish in appealing to a broad range of voters,” Brady said. He questioned Robinson’s ability to attract support, adding, “He’s no draw, except for a very limited group of people, and he repulses the people that we so desperately need to get to win.”

While the event remains scheduled, some insiders believe that fundraising for Robinson may dwindle in light of the ongoing controversy. There are also concerns that continued association with figures like Robinson could hurt the Illinois GOP’s efforts to regain a foothold in the state’s political landscape, which has seen Republican influence wane in recent years.