North Carolina’s anti-LGBT Governor finally concedes election
Nearly a full month after voters rejected him, North Carolina’s anti-LGBT Governor Pat McCrory has finally conceded the race.
North Carolina has lost a string of big investment ventures over Republican Governor Pat McCrory’s decision to sign the contentious HB 2 – which voided all local ordinances protecting LGBT rights, banned transgender people from using their preferred bathroom, and permits businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on the grounds of religious belief.
As the state went to the polls last month, McCrory’s luck appeared to have run out, as his Democratic opponent Roy Cooper took a narrow lead in the battle for the Governorship. Due to the state’s electoral system, some provisional ballots are still slowly being counted.
Governor McCrory initially declined to concede the race, hiring a legal team to file a string of complex challenges to the result.
However, after Cooper’s lead passed a critical 10,000 votes threshold thanks to provisional ballot counting, McCrory has today finally conceded the race,
He said: “Being the 74th Governor of North Carolina has been a privilege and an honour. But during this wonderful season, it’s also time to celebrate our democratic process and respect what I see to be the ultimate outcome of the closest North Carolina governor’s race in modern history.
“Despite continued questions that should be answered regarding the voting process, I personally believe that the majority of our citizens have spoken and we now should do everything we can to support the 75th governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper.”
He added: “I ask all of us to please pray for our new governor, Roy Cooper, our new president, Donald Trump, and their families. Thank you for the honor to serve the great state of North Carolina.”
HRC President Chad Griffin: “Pat McCrory’s reign of discrimination is finally over. McCrory’s stubborn and reckless support of HB2 cost him this election, and his defeat sends a powerful warning to lawmakers across the country that targeting LGBTQ people will not be tolerated.
“We look forward to working with Governor-elect Roy Cooper and fair-minded lawmakers to repeal HB2. It’s way past time to repair the harm inflicted on North Carolina’s people, reputation and economy.”
Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro said: “Governor McCrory has finally conceded, and now it is time for the state and people of North Carolina to get on with our business of rebuilding.
“Roy Cooper is a champion of equality and for North Carolina values, and he is the right person to lead our great state moving forward. This was a hard-fought election, but the people of North Carolina clearly know that Roy Cooper will be the best leader for our state. This is a proud day for especially LGBT North Carolinians, who can now celebrate a Governor who cares deeply about our community.”
McCrory will leave office on January 20.
