CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory announced Monday morning that he will not run for the contested District 9 congressional seat.
[SPECIAL SECTION: District 9 investigation]
Last week, the state board of elections ordered a new election after investigating ballot fraud claims.
That decision set in motion what will be a brand-new primary and special election for District 9.
Dan McCready is running on the Democratic side, but it's unclear if Mark Harris will run again, and speculation is growing that a new challenger will emerge on the Republican side.
[Possible 9th District primary could open large pool of Republican candidates]
McCrory tweeted earlier that he would be announcing his "status" on the District 9 race on Monday morning on his radio show.
McCrory said he's received a lot of calls about the race from friends and reporters, as well as political operatives around the state and in Washington.
On Monday, though, McCrory said he's come to the conclusion that he is making a difference in educating the public and teaching at UNC, but that he is keeping his options open for running for governor or the U.S. Senate.
"We need to get the best person to win this race and who has the fire in the belly and that’s someone other than me," he said.
The board of elections will set dates for the primary and special election soon.
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