Comptroller Dan Hynes choked up as he conceded defeat in the Illinois governor's race on Thursday morning.
"Well, the people have spoken, and the votes have been counted," Hynes told a press conference. "And I'm here to report that we rose up, and fell just a little short."
The race was too close to call the night of Tuesday's primary, with Hynes down less than 1%. But with 100% of precincts now reporting, Hynes still trails by roughly 8,000 votes.
He vowed to support Gov. Pat Quinn in the general election.
"After so much turmoil, conflict and strife, let us choose peace. And to the victor goes our compliments and our support. I've called Governor Quinn and I've congratulated him on his victory and I've pledged my support.
"Illinois needs him to continue as governor, and I pledge to support him throughout the campaign, and I look forward to working with him in the weeks and months to come as Comptroller."
Hynes thanked his supporters for their tireless efforts, but when it turned to his family, he was overwhelmed with emotion.
"To my family, I cherish the love you have shown me long before I was a candidate--" he said, then could not continue. After a moment, he finished, "long before I was a candidate for anything other than than brother or cousin or son."
It remains to be seen who Pat Quinn will face in the general election in November, as the Republican primary is still within a few hundred votes.
Watch NBC Chicago's video of the concession here: