Ex-Gov. Pat McCrory buys a house – but not in Charlotte

Eight months after leaving office, former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and his wife have bought a waterfront house on Lake James in McDowell County.

It’s unclear whether McCrory, who lives in Myers Park, plans to leave Charlotte. He declined to comment Thursday.

McDowell County property records show McCrory paid $600,000 for a 2,800-square-foot home and dock on the lake. The tax value is $410,970.

McCrory left office at the end of December after a narrow loss to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

It’s unclear exactly what the former Charlotte mayor is doing. He did not get a job in the Trump administration as many expected.

McCrory has said the reaction to House Bill 2, known as “the bathroom bill,” has cost him opportunities. He signed the bill in March 2016.

Appearing on Spectrum News’ “Capital Tonight” program in June, he said he tried to teach at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. “Within 15 minutes of being on the campus, the students and professors objected,” he said. “That’s kind of a sad commentary on the culture of our universities now because I would have loved to teach public policy.

Last fall he said the reaction to HB2 had gotten personal, leaving his wife “shunned” at social events in Charlotte and making him the target of verbal assaults and even death threats.

Tonia Hampton, McDowell County’s Register of Deeds, said he’s welcome to stay in the county.

“We are thrilled that he’s here,” the Republican said Thursday. “We would love him to be a permanent resident.

“We would love for him to consider running for local office. Except for mine.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Ex-Gov. Pat McCrory buys a house – but not in Charlotte."