FRANKFORT, Ky. _ Gov. Matt Bevin conceded the governor's election Thursday, putting an end to more than a week of speculation over whether he would contest the results of last Tuesday's election, which he narrowly lost to Democrat Andy Beshear.
Bevin's announcement came after a statewide recanvass that showed minimal changes in election totals. Beshear won by less than 0.5 percentage points.
"We're going to have a change in the governorship based on the vote of the people," Bevin said in a Capitol news conference.
Bevin stoked speculation that he would contest the election _ his only option for challenging the results aside from a recanvass _ after he cited "irregularities" in the election without providing any evidence to back up his claim.
He wished Beshear well as the next governor. Beshear will take office Dec. 10.
