Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson on Tuesday to become the next governor of North Carolina, keeping the governor’s mansion in Democrats’ possession.

The race was defined by Mr. Robinson’s strident rhetoric and comments that were allegedly made on a porn site. A CNN report said Mr. Robinson referred to himself as a “black NAZI” and seemed to endorse the return of slavery.

Mr. Robinson denied writing the comments, but some staffers quit and mainstream Republican officials did little to help the candidate.

Mr. Stein won over independents and college-educated voters, plus a decent share of Republicans who were willing to split their tickets.

The Associated Press called the race for Mr. Stein shortly after the polls closed. He will be North Carolina’s first Jewish governor and will succeed Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat who served two terms and was term-limited.

Democrats have held the governor’s mansion for all but four years since 1993, even as the GOP has held legislative majorities since 2011.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.