REGIONAL – Democratic incumbent Rick Nolan maintained a slim lead most of Tuesday night over Republican challenger Stewart Mills before clinching the seat early Wednesday morning.

Nolan received 128,860, or 48.5 percent, of the vote, while Mills garnered 125,201, or 47.12 percent.

Green Party candidate Ray “Skip” Sandman got 11,437, or 4.3 percent.

Nolan acknowledged it was the toughest race of his career.

“This election was about a choice. A choice between the middle class and the rich and powerful. A choice about the right way to rebuild America,” said Nolan in a statement issued on Wednesday. “Together, we can move this great nation forward.”

Mills conceded the loss, but waited until the final votes trickled in despite many already calling the race for Nolan.

“The results last night and early into this morning were close, which is why we wanted to make sure than 100 percent of Eighth District voters had their vote counted,” said Mills in a release issued on Wednesday. “While we ultimately weren’t successful, I think this race brought up a lot of issues that matter to the voters. It is my sincere hope that Congressman Nolan works over the next two years to address the real concerns that many people in our part of Minnesota have brought up over the last year, and that he works to represent every voice in the Eighth District.”

Long a Dem-ocratic stronghold, Minnesota’s Eighth District has toggled between Repub-licans and Democrats the past few elections as the district expanded south into more conservative precincts in the north metro area.

Republicans saw an opportunity to retake the district with Mills, an executive with this family’s Mills Fleet Farm stores. The presence of Green Party candidate Sandman had also been a concern for Nolan, who feared Sandman would siphon some of his support for re-election.

The race became one of the most expensive House campaigns in the country with final spending by political groups unaffiliated with either candidate clocking in at more than $12.5 million.

The big spenders included the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which bankrolled a series of ads against Mills, mocking his shoulder-length hair and portraying him as a wealthy businessman out to protect his own fortune over the interests of everyday Minnesotans.

Groups backing Mills included the National Rifle Association and the National Republican Congressional Committee, which attacked Nolan as anti-gun and for his support of the Affordable Care Act.

Mills, 44, was making his first run for public office. Although he was disappointed to lose, he said he was “incredibly thankful” for the opportunity to run in the race. “I’m deeply grateful for all the support I received throughout this campaign, and to all the volunteers who worked so hard to bring change to the Eighth District.”

Mills also thanked his opponents Sandman and Nolan. “They’re both good men who really care about Minnesota and our country, and it was an honor to run with them,” he stated.

The 70-year-old Nolan, who served two terms in the Minnesota Legislature from 1969-72 and three terms in Congress from 1975-81, returned to office after defeating freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack in the 2012 election for the Eighth District seat.

Nolan said although he and Mills have very different views on the best path forward, he has “great respect for anyone who is willing to step up and fight for what they believe.”

The congressman added he was humbled by the support his campaign received and “excited to get back to work.”