Power

Exiting Anti-Choice Governor Pat McCrory Finally Concedes in YouTube Video

“I personally believe that the majority of our citizens have spoken,” said McCrory, the only incumbent governor to lose during the 2016 election cycle.

In a video posted to his official YouTube channel early Monday afternoon, McCrory said the holiday period was a time to respect the "Democratic process” and what he saw as the “ultimate outcome of the closest North Carolina governor’s race in modern history.” Office of Governor Pat McCrory / YouTube

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) has finally conceded to Democratic challenger Roy Cooper.

In a video posted to his official YouTube channel early Monday afternoon, McCrory—who backed discriminatory policies during his tenure, including an anti-LGBTQ “bathroom bill” and voter ID laws—said the holiday period was a time to respect the “Democratic process” and what he saw as the “ultimate outcome of the closest North Carolina governor’s race in modern history.”

“I personally believe that the majority of our citizens have spoken,” said McCrory, the only incumbent governor to lose during the 2016 election cycle.

The state elections board website showed Cooper in the lead by about 10,200 votes as of Monday afternoon.

In the video, which spans a little more than two minutes, McCrory said his administration would help Cooper make a smooth transition into governorship and alluded to an upcoming special legislative session he claimed to be for Hurricane Matthew and wildfire relief.

Cooper, the state’s attorney general, responded to the concession shortly thereafter, thanking McCrory for his service.

Cooper had declared victory on Election Night, but McCrory refused to concede, instead launching a recount campaign and baselessly accusing citizens of election fraud.