It was reported this week that North Carolina Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson proclaimed "I'm a black NAZI!" — among other deranged comments — on an adult website message board.
These claims, which MSNBC has not independently confirmed, are shocking and repulsive. But they are also not surprising. Robinson has previously engaged in Holocaust denial, downplayed allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and endorsed arresting transgender women over their bathroom use.
It's also possible this could have been avoided. Erick Erickson alleges that Republican opposition researchers may have been aware of these stories during Robinson's primary but chose to sit on them, anticipating Trump's endorsement. If true, that decision deserves to be lumped together with other disastrous examples of GOP leaders ignoring clearly disqualifying information about candidates, including failed Georgia candidate Herschel Walker and failed Pennsylvania candidate Mehmet Oz.
Robinson is refusing to drop out of the race, despite trailing by double digits even before this story broke. And Trump's association with such a deeply controversial candidate could end up dragging him down, too. North Carolina is a state Democrats haven't won since 2008, and it's now more competitive than ever. Recent polling suggests a virtual toss-up, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is scheduled to continue campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris at several stops in the state.
Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here. And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC.
