RALEIGH, N.C. — Roy Cooper is projected to win reelection for governor of North Carolina, according to The Associated Press.

Speaking outside the state Democratic Party headquarters in Raleigh, Cooper spoke about building unity in North Carolina after a rough election. "Campaign seasons are tough, but North Carolinians are tougher," he said.

In a race that centered largely on the governor's response to the coronavirus pandemic, a majority of North Carolina voters appear to have agreed with Cooper's approach of shutting down gatherings and mandating masks.

As of 11 p.m., with almost all precincts reporting, Cooper had a 4-point lead over Republican challenger Lt. Gov. Dan Forest

"We have a hard job ahead and we need top get on with it," Cooper said in his acceptance speech.  

After a divisive campaign and with the ongoing battle against the coronavirus and trying to rebuild the economy, he said North Carolinians need to "focus on what we have in common, not our differences."

"I will work hard to be the governor for every single North Carolinian," Cooper said.

Forest ran on a platform of reopening the state from the governor's COVID-19 restrictions.

Cooper has been polling well ahead of Forest since the race began. Polls by Spectrum News 1 and others show a majority of people in North Carolina have supported his handling of the pandemic.

Before he was elected governor four years ago, Cooper served as North Carolina Attorney General since 2001.

North Carolina saw record turnout before Election Day, with more than 4.5 million people voting early or by absentee ballot.