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Vernon RobinsonVernon Robinson was an unsuccessful candidate in the July 20, 2004 primary for the Republican Congressional nomination for North Carolina 5th congressional district seat in the 2004 election for U.S. House; the seat was being vacated by Richard Burr. Robinson is an African American. Robinson graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a B.S. in Middle Eastern Affairs, received an MBA from the University of Missouri, and has been a business professor at the Winston-Salem campus for the University of North Carolina. His 2004 campaign highlighted issues regarding illegal immigration. In particular, one radio advertisement was temporarily removed from radio stations due to concerns regarding Federal Communications Commission regulations. The advertisement ended with a message in Spanish which translates to "Yo, gringo! This episode of 'The Twilight Zone' was paid for by Robinson for Congress." The radio station, WSJS, was concerned that the FCC might take issue with the non-English disclaimer. Robinson takes a socially conservative stance on a number of other issues, and has referred to himself as the "Black Jesse Helms". Robinson frequently attacked his primary opponents as being big tax-raisers, gay rights supporters, felons, greatly exaggerating the truth of their records. Although many prominent Republicans initially endorsed his candidacy, some (such as Jack Kemp) withdrew their endorsement after his blistering attacks on illegal immigration and free trade. Many of the attacks were in direct opposition to immigration and trade proposals President George W. Bush favored in his attempts to draw more minorities into the party. By the end of the campaign rumors had begun to spread that members of Bush's inner circle warned Robinson campaign staffers that if they did not resign from his campaign immediately, they would never have a major position in the Republican Party. In an eight-way primary for the Republican nomination, Robinson pulled 24% of the vote, falling short of the 40% threshold required to avoid a runoff primary. The following month, he polled only 45% against fellow challenger Virginia Foxx, losing his shot at a seat in the solidly Republican district. External links *Fiery Black Conservative Running For Congress in North Carolina
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