Rep. Scott Garrett Garrett conceded to Josh Gottheimer in the state's 5th District, which includes parts of Warren, Sussex, Passaic and Bergen counties.
HACKENSACK - After initially refusing to accept defeat in New Jersey's 5th District congressional race, Rep. Scott Garrett on Wednesday morning conceded to opponent Josh Gottheimer.
"While the results of this election were not what I had hoped for, I am proud of the race we ran," Garrett, a Republican, said in a statement released late morning.
"We stayed the course and kept the faith. We are charged to pray for our nation's leaders, and we are doing that now," he said.
The race was close with Gottheimer declared the winner by the Associated Press after midnight. A short time later, Garrett released a statement saying the race was too close to call because more than 20,000 absentee ballots had not been counted.
On Wednesday morning, however, Garrett issued a three-sentence statement conceding to his Democratic opponent.
The state's 5th District includes parts of Warren, Sussex, Passaic and Bergen counties.
Gottheimer declared winner in 5th District
The hotly contested race between Garrett and Gottheimer drew national attention for its nasty campaign ads and vicious rhetoric.
Garrett, who was seeking his eighth term, made headlines when he reportedly said he would not support the House Republicans fundraising arm because it backed gay candidates.
The campaign grew more heated as Gottheimer and Garrett accused each other of ethics violations, assault and other charges.
Garrett, of Wantage, is a co-founder of the Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of Republican lawmakers who hold a hard line on budget issues.
Gottheimer, a former political adviser and speech writer for Bill Clinton, is considered a moderate Democrat. He opposed the Obama administration's Iran nuclear deal and called for tax cuts.
The Wycoff resident and his wife, Marla, a former federal prosecutor, have two small children.
In Bergen County, Democrats swept the elections on Tuesday.
Among the losses was GOP Incumbent Freeholder Maura DeNicola, who was first elected to her county seat in 2010. DeNicola said she was disappointed at the result and suspects heavy turnout for the U.S. presidential tipped the scales in local elections.
"I know the incredible turnout played a role. It's such an unusual election," DeNicola said. "I don't think I could have predicted the outcome."
Alfonso, who accuses Bergen County of wasteful spending, says he would consider running against Saudino again.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.