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Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown Concedes Gubernatorial Race

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ)--Lt. Governor Anthony Brown has conceded the race to Larry Hogan.

Mary Bubala reports from Brown's headquarters.

Read our Election Day live blog | Click here to see the results as they come in

A big crowd has gathered at Lt. Governor Anthony Brown's election night headquarters. The mood is currently somber. People are watching and waiting to see what will happen.

Shortly after midnight, Anthony Brown came out to make a speech in front of his supporters and Maryland political elites.

Brown thanked his supporters.

"Eighteen months ago, we came together to launch this campaign," Brown said. "Tonight, we fell short of our campaign goal but it does not and cannot diminish the work we have done. Thank you."

WATCH BROWN'S SPEECH

He said he was grateful for all the work that everyone has done for his campaign.

"Tonight, this campaign ends but our journey as a people and a state continues. I'd like to congratulate Larry Hogan...on tonight's victory. This was a tough campaign but it's tough because there's a lot at stake," Brown said. "I have a promise for all of you: the things we've fought for...will not be ignored. We will continue to stand up and speak out for Maryland families. Tonight we fell short of our goal but I'm proud to stand before you."

The state's top Democrats have echoed a lot of what Larry Hogan's campaign has said: Marylanders are being hit with taxes and they're tired of it.

"I think some people are frustrated about our taxes; you hear that a lot," said Congressman Elijah Cummings. "They're not seeing a pay raise; they're really frustrated. While we've done well as far as growth in our country, a lot of them are not feeling that so that's rather frustrating."

"This is a very close race. You have to give the Hogan campaign credit; they ran a great campaign. They defined the candidate and people just want to elect people that will get something done," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. "A lot of these races are going to be close."

Ruppersberger noted that some of the likely pro-Brown precincts haven't reported yet.

He also pointed out that Democrats are getting defeated throughout the country.

"There's always a message and we need to listen to the message," he said.

The final push to the polls has been intense for the Brown-Ulman campaign.

They didn't waste a moment. The candidates and their supporters were out early urging people to vote for them.

Supporters lined the road and chanted as Brown's caravan arrived at a polling place in Prince George's County.

The lieutenant governor started his last day of campaigning-- first by casting a ballot himself at St. Joseph Parish Center in Upper Marlboro.

Brown knows every vote counts in this election, especially as some polls show it's neck and neck.

"As I have always said, we are never complacent, we weren't in the primary, we had a decisive victory, we stuck to the fundamentals— a clear message about fighting for working families and middle class values I've got a campaign organization second to none," Brown said.

From Prince George's County to Baltimore City, the lieutenant governor criss-crossed the state.

It's an unprecedented "get out the vote" effort.

Brown hopes to be celebrating at the alumni center at the University of Maryland, but the race is much closer than he predicted five months ago in College Park on Primary night.

In the last several days, both candidates brought out heavy hitters to help them win votes. Just Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama campaigned for the lieutenant governor during an appearance in Baltimore City.

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