Emmer concedes

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer conceded the race for governor to DFLer Mark Dayton at a press conference at his Delano Wednesday morning. “Jacquie and I started this journey over 17 months ago, and it’s been one of the best experience of our lives.” He said he called Dayton at around 10 am Wednesday to let him know the race was over.

Emmer said he appreciated the “goodness and kindness of Minnesotans” while he was on the campaign trail.

He said he had a vision for Minnesota and “almost a million Minnesotans agreed with us on where Minnesota needs to go.”

He said that the Minnesota Supreme Court left open the issue of reconciliation of ballots, “This leaves the door open for a lawsuit. Some have suggested I consider contesting the election. I disagree.”

“I don’t believe a delay in seating the next governor will move our state forward,” he said. “Now is the time for all of us to come together.”

“It’s time for us today to be gracious,” said Emmer. “The next governor of Minnesota will be Mark Dayton.”