‘Boy, Bye’ and other reactions to McCrory finally conceding the N.C. Gov race

It’s over. It’s finally over. Republican Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the N.C. gubernatorial race Monday, meaning we finally know for sure that Democrat Roy Cooper will be the next governor of North Carolina.

It took a while to get here.

– After Election Day, Cooper led McCrory by less than 5,000 votes — well within the margin that would allow McCrory to call for a recount.

– In the weeks following the election, the McCrory campaign filed election complaints in counties across the state, claiming ballots were cast by dead people, convicted felons or people who had already voted. He officially requested a recount in late November.

– Meanwhile, as counties addressed complaints and finalized their totals, Cooper’s lead continued to grow, eventually passing the 10,000-vote margin that would prevent McCrory from getting a recount. Cooper’s transition team started “running full steam.”

– Eventually, McCrory said he’d settle for a recount of 94,000 votes in Durham County. That was finished Monday afternoon — Cooper picked up six votes and McCrory’s stayed the same. McCrory conceded soon after.

So what’s next for Gov Pat? A spot in the Trump administration, maybe? Wherever he ends up, folks in N.C. had some strong feelings about him not being the governor come January.

Here’s a roundup of tweets from the Charlotte area following the news Monday:

Photo:  Jason E. Miczek/Special to the Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 8:02 PM with the headline "‘Boy, Bye’ and other reactions to McCrory finally conceding the N.C. Gov race."