According to WXII12, North Carolina’s Supreme Court just welcomed back Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, but not without a six-month Republican tantrum. Her swearing-in on Tuesday in Raleigh marked the end of a bitter election saga. Some folks can’t handle a 734-vote loss without crying foul.
Riggs, a Democrat, clinched her seat by a razor-thin margin over GOP challenger Jefferson Griffin. The State Board of Elections certified her victory Tuesday, finally putting the matter to rest. This was the last undecided race from the 2024 contests tracked by The Associated Press, dragging on like a bad soap opera.
Griffin, not one to go quietly, spent half a year challenging the results. He pushed to toss out thousands of ballots, claiming irregularities, but offered no proof that held water. Sounds like someone’s been sipping too much of that election-fraud Kool-Aid.
Last week, a federal judge shut down Griffin’s ballot-dumping scheme. The court saw through the flimsy arguments and upheld the count. Funny how “trust the process” only applies when you’re winning.
With the judge’s ruling, Griffin’s options dwindled to zero. He chose to concede rather than drag his case to an appeal, sparing everyone more legal theatrics. Wisdom finally prevailed, or maybe he just ran out of steam.
Riggs’ 734-vote lead, though slim, was enough to secure her spot. Close races like this remind us that every vote counts, no matter how much the losing side whines. Democracy’s messy, but it still works.
On Tuesday, Riggs took her oath in Raleigh, officially starting her new term. The ceremony was a quiet triumph after months of Griffin’s relentless challenges. Nothing says “justice” like overcoming a sore loser’s vendetta.
The State Board of Elections handed Riggs her certificate the same day, sealing her victory. This step, usually routine, felt like a hard-won trophy after the prolonged battle. Bureaucracy moves slowly, but it gets there.
Griffin’s concession came swiftly after the judge’s ruling, a rare moment of clarity. He could’ve kept fighting, but even he saw the writing on the wall. Sometimes, you just have to take the L and move on.
The 734-vote margin underscores how tight this race was. North Carolina’s Supreme Court races often swing on small numbers, but this one took the cake for drama. Every ballot mattered, despite Griffin’s attempts to cherry-pick which ones counted. Riggs’ win keeps a Democratic voice on the court, a sore spot for Republicans. Griffin’s backers hoped to flip the seat, but their dreams crashed hard. Maybe next time, focus on winning votes, not invalidating them.
The federal judge’s decision last week was the nail in Griffin’s coffin. By rejecting his plea to discard ballots, the court reaffirmed the election’s integrity. Funny how “rigged” claims evaporate under scrutiny.
This saga proves one thing: elections have consequences, and so do baseless challenges. Griffin’s six-month crusade wasted time and resources, all for naught. Perhaps it’s time to rethink the “stop the count” playbook. Riggs’ swearing-in marks a return to normalcy, at least for now. Her term begins with a court still navigating North Carolina’s polarized politics. She’s got her work cut out, but at least the election nonsense is behind her.
As the last 2024 race to wrap up, this one leaves a bitter taste. Griffin’s refusal to accept defeat mirrors a broader trend of denying reality when it stings. Here’s hoping future losers handle it with more grace.
