Republican Bob Ehrlich tonight congratulated incumbent Democrat Martin O'Malley on O'Malley's win in the Maryland governor's race.

Ehrlich, appearing at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, talked to supporters shortly after 11:30 p.m. 

"I didn't expect to give this short talk," he said, "but you're going to get it. 

"A lot of you commented about the campaign and the negative ads and the some of the silly stuff you saw and the ludicrous charges, but just know, that's politics," he added.

"That's the nature of politics and we congratulate Gov. O'Malley tonight. I was raised to fight. I was raised to compete but tonight is his." 

At a campaign rally in Montgomery County last week, Ehrlich said that if he lost the race, it would likely be his last campaign.

"This just closes a chapter in our life," Ehrlich told supporters Tuesday night. "That chapter began in 1996 with a 93-vote victory into the House of Delegates.

"It's a pretty good ride for a little kid from the Kendale Apartments," he said, quoting his father's sentiments.

Ehrlich urged his supporters to stay involved in politics.

"There are no words to describe how we feel about you," he said.

"It's not sad. Please believe me, it's not sad. You win. You lose. That's the game of life."