Josh Stein talks to supporters in Pittsboro, North Carolina on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Photo by Carla Peay/The Atlanta Voice PITTSBORO, NC – Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has called for a debate with Josh Stein, the Democratic Attorney General. The two are locked in a tight race to become the next governor of North Carolina. But Stein turned down the debate request and made it very clear as to why.“Mark Robinson is not a normal candidate,” Stein said. “He says that women are unequal. He says that women have abortions because they can’t keep their skirts down. He calls gay people filth. He said that some folks need killing. I’m just not going to be part of platforming that world view.”Stein’s claims are corroborated by campaign ads and YouTube videos in which Robinson says these things directly.Stein has been endorsed by Democratic incumbent governor Roy Cooper, who is term limited.This year would mark the first time since 1972 since the state’s Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates have not engaged in a debate. Stein says however that he sees no reason to grant Robinson a platform.Photo by Carla Peay/The Atlanta Voice“He’s not a normal candidate and I will not normalize him,” Stein said. He conceded that initially, he had been open to debating Robinson, but ultimately changed his mind.“I just gave it some thought, and I just did not want to lift him up,” Stein said. “That’s not my job to lift up him. He can go out there and try to sell his vision for North Carolina to the voters. I just don’t want to be part of normalizing him.”Stein made the comments to a small group of reporters after a ‘Right Time with Stein’ event on Wednesday, Stein’s series of meet and greets across the state. He was joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who joked that Stein needed “no advice from him” as to how to be a great governor.“The voters of North Carolina have all kinds of opportunities to interact with me,” Stein said. “I have done over 60 town halls and meetings across the state. I talk to the press all the time. I believe the voters should know about me.”When pressed further about their interactions as the incumbent Attorney General and Lt. Governor, Stein said candidly, “I don’t need to talk to him (Robinson) to run for governor.”“Who I need to talk to are the voters, which is why I have done over 60 town halls in this campaign. We are all over this state talking to people in North Carolina about who I am and what my record is and what my vision for this state is. I want the voters to make choice as to who they think is best for their kids and their own futures.” The post Josh Stein refuses to “platform” opponent Mark Robinson appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.