What's Next for Pat McCrory?

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Written By Brett Jensen 

Former North Carolina Governor and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory announced what his future political intentions are Wednesday on his daily radio show on WBT.  

McCory, 62, outlined his plans for potential runs for governor in 2020, the U.S. Senate in 2022, as well as his thoughts on the 9th Congressional District, should there be a special election held later this year.

 

McCrory narrowly lost a reelection bid for governor in 2016 to Roy Cooper, after being the first Republican elected to the post in 20 years in 2012. He is also Charlotte’s longest-serving mayor, having held office from 1995-2009.

“I’m going to do a thorough assessment on whether or not I want to run for governor again between now and December,” he said. “I’m also going to do an assessment of whether or not I could make a positive difference possibly in running for the U.S. Senate in 2022. But I’m not ready to make either decision. …

“I want to go through a thorough examination with my family and my friends and supporters on whether or I should reenter into politics in 2020 or 2022. And I’m going to do that very deliberately, and I’m going to do that with a sense of maturity and wisdom and with a deep heart, because this campaigning and holding political office is extremely tough on the family.”

After speaking with those closest to him and getting feedback, McCrory said there’s one more step he’ll do before making a final decision on either office.

“I’m also going to be asking the question, ‘If not me, then who is the most qualified either to be governor or U.S. Senator when those jobs open up?’” he said. “And I’ve got to ask the question, ‘Who best would be best able to serve in those jobs, me or someone else?’ And I’m going to be going through that evaluation and I’m going to take my time, while also accomplishing these other objectives. …

“I’m not ready to make that political announcement, because I have other goals and aspirations. And plus, I’d be getting right back into the game that I’ve been criticizing – the game of groveling for money two years before an election even occurs.”

Then there’s the matter of Congressional District 9, which is in all types of disarray.

As it stands, Republican Mark Harris holds a 905 vote lead over Democrat Dan McCready, but the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement has yet to certify the election due to accusations of possible election fraud in Bladen and Robeson counties.

Should the state board decide that a new election is necessary, the entire process will start with primaries, which opens up the race to whomever decides to enter.

However, McCrory said that particular political office is not for him at this time.

“I’m not going to run for Mark Harris’ seat,” he said. “If anything, we ought to give Mark Harris a chance to get the facts out. Gets the facts out and determine whether or not he deserved the election or not and whether any shenanigans happened. Did they really impact the results of the election. …

“Mark Harris deserves that chance and so do the voters that voted for Mark Harris in that election and I think it’d be irresponsible of me to say I’m running for that office. Plus, I think my experience level and my leadership capabilities would be best suited elsewhere.”