‘I will not shed tears': Trump ally Mark Robinson concedes North Carolina governor race

North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson officially conceded his race for governor Tuesday night after it became clear that Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein had won the election — but the Trump-endorsed MAGA candidate didn’t rule out a return to public office in the future.

“It's not about the lies. It's not about the half-truths. It's about the people who believe in you. It’s about the state that you love. The state that I fully intend to continue to serve for the next few months,” Robinson said Tuesday evening. “Who knows? Maybe in the future once again, somewhere in office. I don’t know.”

He told a crowd of supporters that he would take his time to assess the future, and spend time with family.

“I will not shed tears tonight because I stand here strong and proud,” he said. “Glad to have run a race that was upright and decent while others around me refuse to do so. So, we leave this place tonight with our head held high.”

Robinson, who elicited controversy most notably after a report revealed that he made incendiary posts in which he praised slavery and called himself a “Black Nazi” on a pornographic internet message site before years prior, said the only disappointment he felt Tuesday night was that for his supporters.

“Because I know so many of you wanted so bad to see nothing but victory tonight.”

“Victory is pleasing God,” he said. “And sometimes in order to please God you have to lose in the sight of man.”