RALEIGH -- North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has conceded the governor’s race, clearing the way for Democrat Roy Cooper to be declared the winner.

The concession nearly four weeks after Election Day comes after appeals and postelection re-counts saw Cooper’s narrow lead increasing.

McCrory announced Monday in a video posted on YouTube that he is giving up four years after he won the office by a comfortable margin. This time around McCrory was unable to generate the same voter support that lifted Republicans Donald Trump and Richard Burr to victory in the state. McCrory said he believes the majority of North Carolina citizens have spoken and asked people to support Roy Cooper as the 75th governor.

McCrory said in his statement that his administration will work with Cooper’s team in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. He also added that in his remaining weeks, he and his team will be working on financial plans to be approved in a special legislative session to aid areas affected by Hurricane Matthew and the wildfires in Western North Carolina.

McCrory’s defeat marks the first time a sitting North Carolina governor has lost a re-election bid.