Gov. Cooper: McCrory concedes gubernatorial race to Democrat attorney general

Democrat Roy Cooper will be the new governor of North Carolina.

Incumbent Republican Pat McCrory conceded the drawn-out contest to Cooper, the state's attorney general, on Monday.

Faced with concrete evidence following weeks of recounts, McCrory finally decided to give up the ghost and admit defeat.

The victory must be especially sweet for Cooper, who has been eyeing the governor's mansion for years. He prevailed in an election that saw most Democratic candidates across the state fall by the wayside.

McCrory, we believe, did a credible job as governor. But in a year when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Sen. Richard Burr carried the state, McCrory was left behind, although by only a small margin.

McCrory, surprisingly, did not fare as well among rural voters as his fellow Republicans. The former Charlotte mayor did not manage to ride the coattails of Trump in those areas.

Now Cooper takes the stage. We hope he fares well in office, but with a Republican legislature calling the shots he will have an uphill struggle.

Published in Editorials on December 6, 2016 9:38 AM