By Rob Schofield 

NC Newsline

Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs’ recent recount-confirmed victory over Republican challenger Judge Jefferson Griffin by just over 700 votes was, while certainly newsworthy, not unprecedented.

In 2020, Republican challenger Paul Newby defeated Democratic chief justice Cheri Beasley by just over 400 votes. Unfortunately, one very big difference surrounds the responses of the losers. When Beasley lost four years ago, she issued a gracious concession in which she congratulated her opponent and lauded state election officials for their hard work.

Not so this year. Unlike Beasley, Griffin has allowed partisan operatives to undertake a massive challenge to the ballots of tens of thousands of voters based on specious theories previously rejected in the courts. The challenge is so absurd that it even targeted the votes cast by Justice Riggs’ parents.

The bottom line: Sore losers who are unwilling to accept fair and honest election results are doing great damage to our democracy. Judge Griffin should take an honest look in the mirror and rethink his challenge.

NC Newsline Editor Rob Schofield oversees day-to-day newsroom operations, authors and voices regular commentaries, and hosts the ‘News & Views’ weekly radio show/podcast.