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Democrat Malloy Declares Victory Over Republican Foley In Governor's Race

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declared victory over his Republican opponent Tom Foley in a post-midnight speech in Hartford even though the final votes hadn't come in from all across Connecticut.

Gov. Dannel Malloy declares victory in the governor's race at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday with some results still out.

Gov. Dannel Malloy declares victory in the governor's race at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday with some results still out.

Photo Credit: CT-N screenshot

"We don’t know what the numbers are but we are going to win this thing," Malloy said early Wednesday to delighted supporters who had waited hours for the results.

"We did this together no matter how large the margin, no matter how small the margin, we're standing here today," Malloy said to raucous cheers from his supporters gathered at the Society Room of Hartford, the Democrats election night headquarters.

He was introduced by a joyful Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who noted that the Democrats were expecting good results to come in from the larger cities -- including New Haven -- that would push them over the top.

"We have to wait for a couple of cities to come in. But you know what. It is 'our' cities that are coming in," a beaming Wyman said at 12:25 a.m. as she welcomed Malloy to the podium along with his family.

In an odd spectacle after Malloy's speech, Foley came to the podium at his election night headquarters in Greenwich at 12:46 a.m. to sort of concede that he had lost. He noted that it was a reversal of the standard procedure of the victor waiting for the loser to concede. 

"Something a little unusual has happened. Dan Malloy has just announced that he thinks he's won the race," he said with an awkward chuckle. "The way this is supposed to work is when you have firm numbers and you know you have lost the race you are supposed to call the winner and congratulate him. But he didn't give me a chance. 

"We are actually not sure we lost the race like he is not sure he won the race," Foley said to cheers from his supporters.

But in a moment that resembled a scene out of the movie "Primary Colors," where the Democratic candidate for president played by Larry Hagman told cheering supporters to stop cheering - Foley immediately dampened his supporters enthusiasm.

"All right, all right don't get too excited, don't get too excited because we probably have lost this race. But I am not going to confirm we lost it until we are sure we lost it. When we have done that, we will call Governor Malloy and let him know," Foley said with a couple of more awkward chuckles.

Foley then gave what he said was his concession speech, saying he was "sorry we could not deliver the change we promised."

The 2014 race was a rematch of the 2010 election, which Malloy narrowly won. Polls in a recent days had put the race too close to call or gave Malloy a slight edge.

Malloy also got a last minute boost with a Sunday campaign rally with President Barack Obama in Bridgeport to get out the vote. 

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