UPDATED: Nov. 12, 6:22 p.m.
Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli has officially conceded to Gov. Phil Murphy in the New Jersey governor's race.
Ciattarelli said he called Murphy to congratulate him, and he has accepted defeat in a hard-fought election that was closer than just about anyone predicted — 51% to 48%, a 74,000-vote difference..
“I do not see the result of this election as a failure,” he said at a press conference Friday. “On the contrary — I am proud of what our campaign accomplished, proud of how we helped reinvigorate the Republican Party and mobilize new people who have never been involved before.”
He has no plans to ask for a recount. He specifically addressed supporters who want him to keep fighting.
“I’ve worked every day and night for 22 months to become New Jersey’s governor," he said. "If you think I’d be standing here today conceding, if I thought I won this election, you couldn’t be more wrong. I hate to lose.”
He added the success of Republicans down the ballot will help with the bill balance of power in Trenton.
“Suddenly, I’m hearing Trenton politicians talk about lowering taxes, the kitchen table, common-sense solutions, and paying much closer attention to what it is that’s really bothering everyday New Jerseyans," Ciattarelli said.
Republicans picked up seats in the Assembly, Senate and in local races.
“Why? Because every single time misguided politicians take this state too far off track, the great people of this state push, pull and prod it right back to where it belongs, right back to where it needs to be — the common sense center.”
Ciattarelli also mentioned that changes are needed and he wants to see more a more uniform approach statewide to elections, so that we no longer see the types of counting delays we saw this year.
Original story follows:
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nine days after the election, Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli is planning to concede the New Jersey governor's race to incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy.
Reports including NBC10 say Ciattarelli plans to hold a news conference at 1 p.m to concede to Murphy.
Ciattarelli said a week ago that he was waiting to either give a victory speech or concede to Murphy until "all legal votes are counted."
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As of Thursday night, Murphy had about a 74,000 vote lead, an advantage of about 2.9% and a 9,000-vote growth to his lead compared to Monday.
Neither Ciattarelli nor his campaign ever questioned the results or claimed voter fraud.
Murphy declared victory the night after Election Day, after the race had been called earlier that evening. He is the first Democratic incumbent to win a gubernatorial election in New Jersey in 44 years.
