May 21, 2013
Gov. Siegelman has given up his challenge of election results, conceding the governor's race to Republican Congressman Bob Riley.
Siegelman trailed in the governor's race by about 3,000 votes and had been seeking a recount.
He said he is conceding the election to Riley to avoid a prolonged election controversy. Before Siegelman made a public statement he called Riley.
He said he made the decision after conferring with family members and his staff. He said the decision was painful and promises to work with Riley for a smooth transition.
Siegelman said he believes a recount would have been the fair way to determine the winner of the election, but he said it would have possibly taken months of fighting in the courts and in the Legislature to get a recount.
