Former NC Gov. Pat McCrory announces he’s considering run for U.S. Senate in 2022

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory announced Thursday morning that he won’t run for governor, but says he is considering a 2022 U.S. Senate race.

© Provided by WBTV Charlotte Although he admits running for congress was always a dream of his, he says his skill set and experiences would be better suited for a potential governor or senate run in the future.

McCrory made the announcement on his on WBT radio show around 8:30 a.m.

The former governor said many people have urged him to head back to Raleigh, while others have urged him to stay out of politics altogether.

A poll this month showed McCrory with a double digit lead over Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in the race for governor, the Charlotte Observer reports.

“Despite very favorable surveys, “I’ve made a decision not to run for governor,” McCrory said.

“I’m clearly torn about what is best for me and my family and for our great state,” McCrory said on his decision to not run for governor. “I loved that job and respected the job."

Former NC Gov. Pat McCrory announces he’s considering run for U.S. Senate in 2022

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McCory said a big reason for his decision was not wanting to cause further division withing the Republican party. “There’s so much division,” McCrory said," referring to in Washington and in Charlotte.

McCrory says he is considering running for the U.S. Senate race in 2022.

Pat McCrory says he won’t run for NC Governor...but will consider run for US Senate in 2022 as Sen. Richard Burr is retiring. https://t.co/cxGf81QI2f

— John Carter WBTV (@JohnCarterWBTV) December 19, 2019

“I’m going to consider running for that office in 2022," McCrory said. "My experience as a city councilman, as a mayor and a governor can bring a unique perspective to bringing people together and solving our problems,” McCrory said.

Earlier this year, when McCrory said he would not run in the District 9 race, he said he was keeping the option open for running for governor in 2020 or U.S. Senate in 2022.

JUST IN: @PatMcCroryNC says he will not run for #NC9 #NCPOL pic.twitter.com/pnh6QzoJ8V

— Molly Kelleher (@MollyWBTV) February 25, 2019

Although he admitted running for congress was always a dream of his, he says his skill set and experiences would be better suited for a potential governor or senate run in the future.

“I’ve taken all of this feedback and revisited the question that my dad asked in 1994,” McCrory said in February. “Where can I make the most difference?”

McCrory said he was making a difference while teaching at UNC Chapel Hill and being a radio host.

.@PatMcCroryNC - I think there are a lot of good candidates that can win the seat. I also want to know what’s going on in #NC09 in Bladen County on both sides dating back years.

— News 1110/99.3 WBT (@wbtradio) February 25, 2019

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