Pat McCrory will not run for an eighth term as mayor.
At a press conference this afternoon, the longtime Charlotte mayor and recent unsuccessful Republican gubernatorial nominee said he made the decision in January, regardless of whether he won or lost his campaign for governor.
McCrory said he is proud of the work he's done as mayor creating a new transit system and fighting property tax increases, among other things. His final term will end in December of 2009.
"My heart wants to stay in this job forever, but my soul knows it is time to move on," he said. "As I complete my term in December 2009, I will look to use my skills and experience in other ways in both the public and private sector."
He said that he will consider running for other elected office in the future at either the state or federal level, saying he still has a "desire to serve."
"I will always be honored to be known as 'Mayor Pat,'" he said.




Re: McCrory won't run again as mayor
NORTH CAROLINA LOST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHEN MCCRORY LOST THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION, A TRUE CHANCE TO BREAK THE HOLD FAVORITISM HAS ON RALEIGH AND BRING SOME HONESTY AND DECENCY TO THE OFFICE. WE OF CHARLOTTE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD SUCH A GREAT LEADER TO GUIDE THE GROWTH IN THE METRO AREA.
THE FACT THAT PERDUE WAS WASHED IN WITH THE OBAMA TIDE ONLY DENOTES THAT INNERCITY VOTERS WERE ENERGIZED, PAVLOV WOULD BE PROUD. THANK THE STARS MACKEY WASN'T THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE. BRACE OURSELVES TWICE, ONCE AGAINST 4 MORE YEARS OF THE SAME NEGLECT IN THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT BY RALEIGH, AND AGAIN AGAINST THE ASSAULT OBAMA HAS MOUNTED AGAINST THE MIDDLE CLASS CITIZEN WHO HAS TRIED TO DO THE CORRECT AND HONEST THING, PAID HIS BILLS AND MORGAGE MONTHLY, PLAN FOR RETIREMENT. STAND CLEAR, SHE'S GONNA BLOW!
IS PERDUE SELLING HER HOME IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH HERSELF IN CHARLOTTE? AFTER ALL IT IS HER SECOND HOME SHE SAID. RIGHT! COME ON DOWN AND JOIN THE FUN.