Controversial Republican candidate in hospital after 'incident at campaign event'

North Carolina's controversial Republican candidate for governor, Mark Robinson, was sent to hospital with burns following an incident at a campaign event, US media is reporting.

CNN is reporting the campaign said Robinson was treated for second-degree burns at Northern Regional Hospital "following an incident at a campaign event."

Robinson, the state's lieutenant governor, is doing fine, the campaign said.

The campaign has not said what caused the burns.

A reporter for the Washington Post reported that Robinson burned his hand while leaning against a truck at a truck show.

Robinson was attending the Mayberry Truck Show in Mt. Airy, News Nation reported.

Robinson has become increasingly marginalised by the Republican party following reports of his alleged past inflammatory comments on a pornography website's message board.

A CNN poll this week shows Democrat Josh Stein leading Robinson 53 percent to 36 percent among likely voters.