Republican strategist Doug Heye blasted the GOP for promoting “cartoon candidates” after a bombshell CNN report revealed controversial comments by North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Heye, who hails from North Carolina,

A Republican strategist and North Carolina native warned of the potential up-ballot fallout following a bombshell CNN report that surfaced damning comments made by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson — and begged his party to "stop voting for cartoon candidates.

Republican candidate for North Carolina Governor and current North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson gestures as he attends a campaign event in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. August 14, 2024.

Mr. Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor of North Carolina, vowed to stay in the race and sought to deny the report, which also said he had defended slavery in online posts years ago.