Koch network touts Mark Robinson's policy positions with 'thank you' ads

• An organization mostly funded by Charles Koch has been touting embattled North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's policy positions as he runs for governor.
• While AFP has not endorsed Robinson, the organization has been running digital ads thanking Robinson

The political network largely funded by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch has been quietly touting North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson for his policy positions despite a litany of controversies, according to records uncovered by CNBC.

The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity ran digital advertisements supporting Robinson as recently as this month. It's also funded pro-Robinson door knocking, launched a website that encouraged voters to thank him for his work as lieutenant governor, interviewed him on a podcast and hosted him for an April event featuring Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C.

The digital ads began running Sept. 1 and continued to air through Sept. 14, according to AdImpact. The ads aired just days before CNN reported on racist and graphic comments Robinson allegedly posted on a porn forum over a decade ago.

Though Robinson has denied he wrote the scores of posts, at least four of his top aides from his North Carolina gubernatorial campaign resigned within days of the report's publication. The National Review reported a total of eight staffers have resigned.

The September pro-Robinson ads funded by AFP feature a message of praise for the lieutenant governor's advocacy to expand the state's school voucher program, as well as a testimonial from Robinson himself. These types of voucher programs use taxpayer funds typically spent on public education to subsidize private school tuitions.

"Now today, thanks to lieutenant governor Robinson and leadership in the North