North Carolina Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin (R) has conceded defeat in a contested race for a seat on the state Supreme Court, bringing to an end a saga that has lasted six months.

Griffin’s concession puts to bed a contentious and chaotic saga in NC politics, one that has raised substantial questions about democracy and may impact the state’s elections for years to come.

Jefferson Griffin said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday that he would not appeal a federal judge’s decision favoring Associate Justice Allison Riggs.