Did Eichhorn just concede?

The following statement was just issued via email:

Eichhorn Issues Letter to Republicans

For Immediate Release:  Friday, June 13, 2008

Stratford, IA – George Eichhorn today issued the following letter to Republicans in Iowa:

GEORGE EICHHORN

Dear Republican Friends,

I want to thank all of the people who have sent kind words of encouragement for my campaign over the last several days.

I joined the Senate race late.  But I did so because I wanted to help articulate our common sense conservative views of less government, lower taxes, a stronger economy, family values and national security with closed borders.

Our party is the party of liberty.  We are the party that best represents the American spirit of strong will and determination to make our nation better for future generations.

The Secretary of State and pundits report that this election showed one of the lowest turnouts and one of the closest primary or major general election results anyone can remember.   While the low turnout was expected following the high profile caucuses, it is important for every Republican to re-double our efforts to make sure Iowans understand the stakes of this fall’s election.

I was happy to receive close to 70% of the vote in my previous legislative districts and to win Dubuque, Scott (Davenport), Polk (Des Moines), Cerro Gordo (Mason City) and Pottawattamie (Council Bluffs) counties along with many, many others.  We did very well in Linn, Johnson (Iowa City), Black Hawk and Story (Ames) County.

What is important now is for our party to come together behind our Presidential nominee, Senate nominee, our Congressional nominees and our local candidates.  It is critical that we win our races at the federal and local levels.  There is so much at stake.

In this short race Shelly and I met so many more Iowans who were committed to the principles and values of our party.   I know together we can create a better future for Iowa.

I want to add that we send our thoughts and prayers to all of those who have been affected by the recent storms and flooding.   In 2005 we experienced a Tornado near my home in Stratford.  The cooperation and community spirit I experienced after Stratford’s storm showed me that we can rebound stronger than ever to face the challenges that lie ahead after these storms.

Thank you again for all of your support.  I look forward to working with you to advance our party and build a stronger, brighter future for Iowa.

Sincerely,
George Eichhorn

Christopher Reed’s campaign issued this via emial at 3:21 p.m.

Cedar Rapids — Christopher Reed received notice that Republican Senate candidate George Eichhorn will not be asking for a recount of the June 4 primary.  The official canvass gave Reed a 524 vote victory in the three-way primary.

"The only order of business through November 4 is to show Iowans how a new brand of leadership can right the ship in Washington.  The Republican base is united against Tom Harkin’s big government record, and now we must spread the message to all corners of Iowa."

Harkin’s quarter-century in the U.S. Senate has not produced the results Iowans expect.  When the federal government is Constitutionally bound to act, Harkin stalls.  When Iowans want government out of their way, Harkin is there to tie their hands.  Families, businesses large and small, and the great men and women of our military need a Senator who will fight for their issues.  Christopher Reed intends to bring the Iowa perspective to the U.S. Senate.

"There isn’t one thing, one program or agency, that Iowans believe is running efficiently.  The big government beast needs to be tamed, not fed with the hard-earned tax dollars of Iowans," said Reed.

Christopher Reed was born and raised in Solon, Iowa.  He is a Navy veteran and now owns a small business in Cedar Rapids.  Reed and his wife Kim live in Marion, IA with their 3 children.