RALEIGH, N.C. -- After nearly three days of uncertainty, Raleigh has a new mayor.

Just within the past hour, Charles Francis conceded the election to Mary-Ann Baldwin. Baldwin won a plurality of the vote on Tuesday at 38 percent of ballots cast.

Francis came in second with 31 percent of the vote. That gave him the right under state law to ask for a runoff election. For the past two days, his campaign said he was considering asking for a runoff.

Late Friday afternoon, he released a statement saying he would concede the election to Baldwin.

I want to thank each and every one of my voters, volunteers, interns, donors and friends for their support, exertions, counsel and prayers throughout this campaign.  You inspired me. Most of all, I want to thank my family for their unflinching loyalty and love.

From this campaign's inception through the evening of October 8, I fully expected to finish first.  However, that didn't happen. After reviewing the results and analyzing a runoff race, I have concluded that the path to a runoff victory to re-connect with my voters and reach other voters concerned about our city would require an additional several hundred thousand dollars—more resources than available for an election just three weeks away.  Therefore, though there was no clear mandate in the Mayor’s race for any candidate, I will not call for a runoff.

 One purpose of my candidacy was to include all people in Raleigh’s growth, decision-making and prosperity.  I am committed to continue doing the work to build a Raleigh for All as a lawyer, bank director, entrepreneur and community servant.  The lofty rhetoric we often hear about Raleigh does not match the reality for too many people. While I regret not winning this election, I look forward to joining with my 17,000 voters and others for the agenda that we brought forward to take root in local policy and budgets.  I extend congratulations to Mayor-Elect Baldwin and the newly elected Councilors. Raleigh should now come together as one city to support, guide and hold accountable our new Mayor and City Council to truly build a Raleigh for All.

City officials say Baldwin will take office on December 2.