RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Judge Jefferson Griffin says he has grown and learned in the 20-plus years since he posed with fraternity brothers for a photo showing all of them wearing Confederate uniforms. The photo surfaced on Friday and was widely circulated. Judge Griffin, who is ch allenging more than 60,000 votes from the November election for a seat on the State Supreme Court, released a statement saying: “Over twenty years ago, I attended a college fraternity event that, in hindsight, was inappropriate and does not reflect the person I am today. At that time, like many college students, I did not fully grasp the broader historical and social implications. Since then, I have grown, learned, and dedicated myself to values that promote unity, inclusivity, and respect for all people." His campaign also released a statement saying Democrats are using the photo against Griffin. It said: “It is clear that the Riggs campaign knows the facts of the pending litigation are not on their side and that they continue their personal smear campaign. Judge Griffin has served the people of this state and our country with great honor and duty; sadly, the radical left fails to share that same sense of duty,” Paul Shumaker said, on behalf of the campaign." Judge Griffin is in the middle of lawsuits right now to challenge the November election results, where he lost a state Supreme Court seat to incumbent Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs. Griffin has said more than 60,000 votes should not count because they’re invalid or were cast by ineligible voters. ...read more read less