This past weekend saw former President Donald Trump endorse North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the state's gubernatorial race. 

According to Fox News, Trump threw his support behind Robinson while speaking at a campaign rally in Greensboro on Saturday.

Trump likens Robinson to MLK

The former president said that Robinson, who is the state's first African American lieutenant governor, is like "Martin Luther King on steroids."

"I think you’re better than Martin Luther King," Trump told Robinson, adding, "I think you are Martin Luther King times two."

Fox News noted that for his part, Robinson put out a statement which read, "What an honor to welcome President Donald Trump to my hometown of Greensboro today! I am humbled to have his endorsement."

Robinson then went on to link his likely opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein to President Joe Biden, saying "The failed Biden-Stein agenda of the Democrat Party has brought our country to crisis."

"We need more bold fighters like Donald Trump," the lieutenant governor stressed. "I look forward to partnering with him to take on the failed Biden-Stein agenda, lead our united Republican ticket to victory in November, and get our state and country back on track."

Lieutenant governor appeared in viral 2018 video

Robinson rose to prominence nearly six years ago when he addressed the Greensboro City Council, declaring, "I'm a law-abiding citizen who’s never shot anybody."

"I think there's millions of me across the country, and I’m hoping that each one of those people will go out and tell these politicians we’re not gonna take it, and we’re gonna stand up for our rights and we’re gonna hold on to them."
– #2A Champion Mark Robinson #NRA pic.twitter.com/IC1nfLQ20D

— NRATV (@NRATV) May 14, 2018

"Every time we have one of these shootings, nobody wants to put the blame where it goes, which is at the shooter's feet," he continued.

The future North Carolina lieutenant governor went on to complain that liberal politicians "want to put it at my feet" and "want to turn around and restrict my right."

Polls suggest a tight race in November

Most polls suggest that Robinson holds a commanding lead in the North Carolina Republican primary race over State Treasurer Dale Folwell and attorney Bill Graham.

However, it appears that the general election will be a much closer contest, with a survey carried out last month by East Carolina University showing Robinson and Stein tied.

An earlier East Carolina University poll from late last year showed Robinson as running four points ahead of the state attorney general.