RALEIGH, N.C. _ North Carolina Republican Gov. Pat McCrory announced Monday that he's conceded the election to Democrat Roy Cooper, the state's attorney general, and will support transition efforts.
McCrory made the concession in a video message posted around noon Monday as a recount he requested in Durham County entered its final hours. Durham officials plan to finish the recount later Monday, but early results from the recount showed virtually no change in the vote tally there.
" I personally believe that the majority of our citizens have spoken, and we now should do everything we can to support the 75th governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper," McCrory says in the video. "The McCrory administration team will assist in every way to help the new administration make a smooth transition.
"It's time to celebrate our democratic process and respect what I see to be the ultimate outcome of the closest North Carolina governor's race in modern history."
