Important Threshold Reached in NC Governor’s Race Vote Count, Substantially Diminishing McCrory’s Chances

Little Chance McCrory Can Win at This Point

The margin between Governor Pat McCrory and his Democratic opponent, Roy Cooper, just broke the 10,000 vote mark, leaving McCrory with no current right to demand a recount.

There are still some votes left to count in seven counties, according to News & Observer reporter Colin Campbell, but as it stands now there’s little chance of Pat McCrory retaining his seat as North Carolina’s governor.

Should the final tally, which is expected Wednesday, leave less than 10,000 votes between the two gubernatorial candidates, McCrory – or Cooper, for that matter – could demand a recount.

But at this point it’s looking clear Attorney General Roy Cooper will become Governor Roy Cooper.

Noting that “a stunning 66 percent of North Carolina voters reporting opposition to HB2 in exit polling,” the Human Rights Campaign Wednesday called for McCrory to concede “immediately, saying, “it’s clear that HB2 cost McCrory his re-election bid.”

“North Carolina just sent a powerful message to the entire country: the days of preying on LGBTQ people for political gain is over,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.

“Today, we have hit another milestone in the Governor’s race, that Roy Cooper has clearly won. The margin is now above 10,000 votes. This marks a decisive victory for Roy Cooper and does not allow for an automatic recount given the size of the margin,” said Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro.

An attorney working for the Cooper campaign says it’s already “game over,” but not until the Board of Elections makes it official.