Mr. Stein’s campaign focused on education and abortion rights. But the core of his message was that Mr. Robinson, the Republican, was unfit to lead the state.

Democrat Josh Stein won the North Carolina governor's race on Tuesday, Edison Research projected, defeating Republican Mark Robinson, whose candidacy imploded following a CNN report that he had called himself a "Black Nazi" and made other offensive remarks on a pornographic website.

A massive lead gained from votes cast before Election Day helped deliver victory to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat.