SEN. BURNS CONCEDES MONTANA RACE
HELENA, Mont. - U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns (news, bio, voting record) conceded defeat to Jon Tester on Thursday, acknowledging that a tight election had gone to the Democrats' favor, Burns' campaign told The Associated Press.
Burns, a three-term senator whose campaign was troubled by verbal gaffes and voter discontent, congratulated Tester, a farmer and state legislator.
"I stand ready to help as Montana transitions to a new United States Senator," Burns said in a statement provided to the AP. "We fought the good fight and we came up just a bit short. We've had a good 18 years and I am proud of my record."
In a statement, Burns says his campaign "fought the good fight and we came up just a bit short."
Burns concedes U.S. Senate race, ends 18-years of service
By MATT GOURAS Associated Press Writer
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns conceded defeat to Jon Tester Thursday morning, acknowledging that a tight election had gone to the Democrat's favor, Burns' campaign told The Associated Press.
Burns, the three-term folksy backslapper undone by some verbal gaffes and voter discontent with Iraq, corruption and President Bush, congratulated Tester.
``I stand ready to help as Montana transitions to a new United States Senator,'' Burns said in a statement provided to the AP. ``We fought the good fight and we came up just a bit short. We've had a good 18 years and I am proud of my record.''
Burns did not plan any public appearances on Thursday, his campaign said, instead conceding in a release that thanked supporters.
``For 18 years, Montanans trusted me to hear their concerns, help solve their problems, and made being a United States senator from Montana the best job anybody could have,'' Burns said. ``I will forever be grateful to this state for that honor and proud of my accomplishments.''
Burns, 71, did not give any indication of what he planned to do now, other than saying ``I hope there is still a good-sized buck out there, because I am going hunting.''