Republican Jefferson Griffin concedes N.C. Supreme Court race after months of legal battles
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GOP Judge Concedes Six-Month Battle Over NC Supreme Court Seat
Above: Judge Jefferson Griffin listens to testimony in Wake County Superior Court on Feb. 7, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. Image copyright: Robert Willett/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Regardless of the federal court's ruling, key aspects of the 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election required further investigation, specifically regarding "Never Resident" and overseas voting. Judge Jefferson Griffin's actions aimed to uphold the law and ensure every vote cast was counted and valid. While his loss is a disappointment, the recognition by North Carolina's appeals and supreme courts that constitutional and legislative standards were not followed in 2024 could secure the state's future elections.
Democratic narrative
At long last, the will of the people has been heard. Griffin and his Republican allies in the state judiciary attempted to steal an election that did not go their way, waging an unscrupulous six-month campaign that did unimaginable damage to North Carolina's democracy and threatened to undermine voters' rights. Thankfully, the federal court decision and Griffin's resulting concession affirmed what everyone already knew and what the two recounts evidenced. Judge Allison Riggs won the election fair and square.