PITTSBURGH -- Republican candidate and Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher conceded the governor's race to Democrat Ed Rendell last night, after trailing in election returns most of the night.
Fisher ultimately garnered 44.5 percent of the vote, and though he seemed saddened by his loss, it did not appear to be entirely unexpected.
In his speech at the Westin Convention Center's Allegheny Ballroom, Fisher stated that while disappointed by his loss, he was pleased with the overall campaign.
"Despite the outcome, everyone who helped in this campaign can hold their heads up high," he told a supportive audience of family, friends and campaign aides and donors. "We fought a good fight."
Fisher also praised his opponent for a strong campaign. "Rendell's immense popularity in the southeast and big victory in the primary made him a very formidable candidate," he said. "He ran a very good campaign and a strong campaign."
Shortly before his concession speech, which came a little after 11 p.m., Fisher called Rendell to offer his congratulations. During the conversation, Fisher said that as attorney general for the next two years, he pledged to work with Rendell to move Pennsylvania forward.
"Ed and I may have disagreed in how to do it, but we both agreed that what Pennsylvania needs are good jobs, quality schools, strong businesses and growing communities," Fisher stated. "We believe in Pennsylvania and the power of its people... and I hope Rendell can harness that energy and spirit and carry the Commonwealth forward over the next four years."
Following Fisher's speech, running mate Jane Earll also offered congratulations to Rendell.
"I have mixed emotions," Earll told the crowd, looking visibly moved. "You don't laugh when you win, and you don't cry when you lose."
Overall, Earll said, Pennsylvania should be proud of the caliber of candidates in this election and of the varied platforms each had to offer. "That's what democracy is all about," she said, adding, "I can respect the voters' decision."
"There are benefits to running even though the outcome is not what we would have liked," Earll concluded. And, regardless of the outcome, "tomorrow, when we get out of bed, we will continue to work for Pennsylvania."
Outwardly, supporters appeared optimistic throughout the night, but even the earliest returns showed Rendell well ahead of Fisher.
"It doesn't look good," commented Ineze Esperanza, a Pittsburgh native and Fisher supporter who helped work on the campaign. She added that voter turnout in the city seemed low.
"Not many people were out there. I went at noon and was the 117th voter at my polling place that day." Rain, she said, probably played a roll.
At 9:17 p.m., CNN called the election, giving it to Rendell. The Associated Press followed shortly after. The returns continued to show Rendell with a strong lead. As "Conga" and "Celebration" blasted over the loud speakers at the Westin, Fisher supporters piled in front of TV screens with worried looks.
"We've got some ground to make up," T.A. Ward, a donor to Fisher's campaign, said. "Fisher has had close races and come from behind in all of his elections. I'm hanging in here for Mike, win, lose or draw."
Nevertheless, by 10:30 p.m. it was apparent that Fisher was well behind Rendell. With 74 percent of the vote accounted for, Fisher, though gaining numbers, still lagged behind Rendell by a considerable margin.
By 11 p.m., the results were clear. Fisher had lost. Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum delivered a heartfelt opening address, calling Earll and Fisher "true warriors" who helped campaign for the entire Republican party. "They gave it their all, and that's all we can ask for," he said, lauding the Republican gains in the Senate across the country to the cheers of the crowd.
Regardless, Fisher supporters were dismayed at the outcome.
"It's a sad day for Pennsylvania," Joseph Hoover, a friend and supporter of Fisher, said. "I just hope Rendell stays healthy, cause we don't want [Kathleen Baker] Knoll running the state!"
He attributed Fisher's loss, in part, to the strength of Rendell's campaign.
"Rendell was a powerhouse," Hoover said. "He had a stronger campaign, and Fisher just couldn't keep up after the primaries."
Fisher's wife Carol felt differently. "It was an incredible campaign," she said after the speeches. "We worked very hard, and Mike actually did very well. It was a tough race."
There is no word yet on whether Fisher plans to run again. According to his wife, "Mike will have been in public service for about 30 years after he finishes his term as attorney general. I don't know of any other plans just yet."
