Utah Sen. Mike Lee defeated independent challenger Evan McMullin on Tuesday night, in what has been the closest and most expensive U.S. Senate competition Utah has seen in decades.
Just after midnight Tuesday, Lee led McMullin 55% to 40%.
Lee secured his third term in the Senate, drawing Republicans would one seat closer to capturing a majority in the lawmaking body.
Summit County showed a distaste in Lee however. According to preliminary results released early Wednesday morning, McMullin secured roughly 63% of Summit County's vote.
Lee gathered with other Republicans at the swanky Hyatt Regency — the newest addition to downtown Salt Lake City’s skyline — while McMullin and his supporters came together at a theater in Taylorsville, according to the Tribune.
In a speech declaring himself victorious, Lee said he was grateful to residents of the state, calling the race “daunting and humbling.”