WASHINGTON, N.C. — Tempers were rising among the political faithful on Market Street. Local leaders with the Beaufort County Democratic Party had assembled on the sidewalk outside Shep’s Grill, holding signs that say “VOTE BLUE” and “Josh Stein for Governor.

The Trump-endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate allegedly called himself a "Black Nazi" in past posts to a porn website.

In a recent poll, Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is closing the polling gap between himself and Democrat Josh Stein in the race for governor. After polls recently had Stein leading by as much as 17%,