North Carolina's fall election essentially wrapped up Friday as the trailing candidate in the state auditor's race conceded near the end of a statewide recount and officials certified results for president, U.S. Senate, governor and scores of other contests.
Democratic State Auditor Beth Wood won another four-year term after Republican challenger Chuck Stuber said it appears his campaign would come up short on the vote count. With nearly all 100 counties completing the recount Stuber requested earlier this week, Wood was leading by a little over 6,000 votes from more than 4.5 million votes cast.
"Now that we have won I am ready to move forward with my third term to continue the mission in helping our state become a model for the nation in efficiency and budgetary effectiveness," Wood said in a release.
The concession by Stuber, a former FBI agent, was released by the state Republican Party after the State Board of Elections met to review races under its jurisdiction and finalize results.
Actual documents declaring each winner — like Democratic Governor-elect Roy Cooper and Republican Sen. Richard Burr — should be completed next week. The certified results show Cooper winning by 10,281 votes over Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who conceded earlier in the week after a state-ordered partial recount of Durham County ballots showed no significant changes in the margin.
Friday's action also set the stage for Donald Trump to receive the state's electoral votes in the meeting of presidential electors Dec. 19.
The board delayed, probably until early next week, certifying races for auditor and a state House race covering parts of Wilson and Pitt counties until after receiving recounted results. Rep. Susan Martin, R-Wilson, declared herself the winner in that race after the recount showed her ahead by less than 200 votes over Democrat Charlie Pat Farris.
Another state House recount this week in Wake County confirmed Democrat Joe John defeating GOP Rep. Marilyn Avila by fewer than 400 votes. Entering the new General Assembly session in January, Republicans will hold 74 of the 120 House seats and 35 of the 50 Senate seats.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad