11:25 PM: Branstad makes victory speech
Former governor and governor-elect Terry Branstad tonight paraphrased the famous words of Lou Gehrig, saying tonight he feels "like the luckiest guy on the face of the Earth" after Gov. Chet Culver called to concede to him.
"I can't tell you what an honor it is to be asked by Iowans to serve as their governor again," Branstad said. "And tonight I'm more excited about the job ahead than the very first time I stood before you on an election night."
About 200 GOP faithful chanted "Terry, Terry, Terry" with the song "Jump" playing in the background before Branstad made his comments.
"I want you to know I just visited with Governor Culver and he gratiously conceded the election," Branstad said. "I thanked him for his service and for the rigorous campaign that he ran. He is a true competitor."
Branstad said he knows he's set tough goals for himself, and said he's counting on Iowans to help him "complete this journey and remake our state."
"You may not always agree with eveyrhing I do, but I will always do my best," Branstad said. "I will always act with your best interests at heart. I will work tirelessly to right our ship of state. And we will do it with balancing our budgets with no frills, no gimmicks and no debt."
-- By Andrew Duffelmeyer
Labels: 2010_election
