Jim Neal (D), US Senate Candidate conceded around 10 p.m. Tuesday night. 

Surrounded by supporters and family at the Southern Rail Restaurant in Carrboro, Neal started out by saying he now supports Senator Kay Hagan. She won the democratic seat with 61% percent of the votes, or 526,846 votes total. Neal came in second with 19% of the votes, or 167, 549 votes total.

"I offered her my congratulations on a well-run campaign and a solid victory," Neal said. "She has my support and she should have your support as we go into this important general election."

He said tonight that the loss is difficult, but  he's not coming away from it empty handed.  

"You lose only if you fail to obtain an objective and I did learn something," he said. "I have learned what a beautiful state we have, I have learned what a rich, diverse, wonderful, kind and caring people we have in North Carolina."

Neal said he is now ready to move on and continue working for what he believes in .

"Tomorrow morning, we're going to wake up and the sun will be shining and I'm going to turn another page," he said. "We're also going to have a voice and there's a lot of people who don't have a voice and let's all remember that. I intend to keep my voice."

Neal was known as a newcomer to the race this year. However he gained experience in national politics when he served as a finance committee member for Wes Clark for President and the Kerry-Edwards campaigns, as well as acting as a national fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Erskine Bowles in 2004.