Newton concedes N.C. attorney general race to Josh Stein

Madeline Gray—North State Journal
The candidates for North Carolina attorney general

WILSON — Republican candidate for attorney general Buck Newton conceded the election to his opponent Josh Stein on Monday. Newton trails Stein by 24,605 votes four weeks after the election.

“Many of us were concerned about the allegations of election irregularities and the possibility of illegitimate votes being cast in this election,” said Newton in a statement released by his campaign. “I felt it was prudent to have all the votes be counted and have the process of resolving the reports of irregularities be completed before making any statements on the results.”

Newton served in the N.C. Senate for six years representing Wilson, Nash and Johnston counties.

“It is my hope that General-elect Stein will always endeavor to uphold the duly enacted laws of North Carolina, the North Carolina Constitution, and the U.S. Constitution, even when it contradicts his strongly held political beliefs,” Newton said. “Likewise, I will seek to support his efforts to clean up the North Carolina Crime Lab, combat the growing heroin epidemic, and fight the overreach of the Federal Government in our state.”

Stein represented Wake County in the N.C. Senate for six years. He previously served as N.C. senior deputy attorney general for consumer protection. He will replace Roy Cooper, who will take over as N.C.’s next governor.