Pat McCrory conceded the 2016 election to Roy Cooper Monday afternoon in a YouTube video released by his campaign.

The highly contested election has been a talking point throughout the state as the former governor has claimed voter fraud and asked for several recounts. At last count, Cooper was up by 10,263 votes.

“During this wonderful season, it’s also time to celebrate our democratic process and respect what I see to be the ultimate outcome of the closet North Carolina governor’s race in modern history,” McCrory said. “Despite continued questions that should be answered regarding the voting process, I personally believe the majority of our citizens have spoken and we now should do everything we can do to support the 75th governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper.”

McCrory, who was the mayor of Charlotte from 1995 to 2009, assumed office as North Carolina’s governor in 2013.

The loss marks the first time a sitting North Carolina governor elected to a four-year term has lost a re-election bid.

His concession came nearly a month after Election Day.

“I ask all of us to please pray for our new Governor Roy Cooper and our new President Donald Trump and their families,” he said in the video.

Cooper said in a statement following McCrory’s concession, “I’m proud to have received the support from so many who believe that we can come together to make a North Carolina that works for everyone. It will be the honor of my life to serve this great state. While this was a divisive election season, I know still that there is more that united us than divides us. Together, we can make North Carolina the shining beacon in the south by investing in our schools, supporting working families and building a state that works for everyone. I’d like to thank all of the hardworking families in North Carolina, and I look forward to serving the greatest state in the country as your Governor.”

Watch McCrory’s full announcement here.