After Months of Trying to Steal NC Supreme Court Seat, GOP Candidate Finally Concedes

A six-month saga that drew national attention over a North Carolina state Supreme Court seat finally came to a close on Wednesday when the Republican judge who lost the race last fall conceded.

Jefferson Griffin, a Republican judge on the state Court of Appeals, lost the 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election to incumbent Allison Riggs, a Democrat, by over 700 votes, a lead confirmed by two recounts. But Griffin would not accept the results, and instead launched an extraordinary bid to challenge tens of thousands of ballots in the race.

On Monday, a federal judge appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump dealt a decisive blow to Griffin's effort, ordering election officials to certify the results of the election and confirm that Riggs had won.

In his ruling, the judge wrote that "retroactive changes to election procedures raise serious due process concerns" and that Griffin essentially sought "to change the rules of the game after it had been played."

In a statement shared with outlet NC Newsline, Riggs said Monday that "today, we won."

"I'm proud to continue upholding the Constitution and the rule of law as North Carolina's Supreme Court Justice," she added.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich called the ruling "good news for democracy."

Instead of appealing the ruling, Griffin conceded defeat to Riggs. "While I do not fully agree with the District Court's analysis, I respect the court's holding—just as I have respected every judicial tribunal that has heard this case," Griffin said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. "I will not appeal the court's decision."

Common Cause North Carolina, is a nonpartisan grassroots organization, cheered the development.

"This is a victory for North Carolina voters, led by North Carolina voters," said Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, in a statement on Wednesday. "Throughout Griffin's shameful attempt to overturn the election, the people of North Carolina proved that we will not be silent when a politician attacks the voting rights of our family members, friends, and neighbors. We've shown the awesome power of everyday people to protect the freedom to vote."

Common Cause North Carolina was active in mobilizing North Carolina residents against Griffin's challenges.

In state court, Griffin challenged more than 60,000 votes on eligibility grounds.

At one rally organized by Common Cause North Carolina in February, speakers warned that Griffin's challenge of those votes was a threat to democracy and that the strategy could be copied by other losing politicians who want to challenge their defeats, according to NC Newsline.