Almost twelve hours after Rep. Mike Bost declared victory in Tuesday's GOP primary for the 12th congressional district and Darren Bailey conceded, the Associated Press on Wednesday morning called the contest in Bost’s favor, with 96% of the ballots counted.

By morning, the margin of victory was smaller, at 2,590 votes and just 2.8 percentage points.

“Victory was only possible because of the backing of countless friends and supporters from every corner of the district, along with a vitally important endorsement from Donald J. Trump, our next president of the United States,” Bost said in a statement late Tuesday.

“While primaries are never easy, I’m proud that we remained focused on the issues voters care about and ran a positive, results-oriented campaign. I’m hopeful we can work to reunify our party in advance of a critical general election,” he said.

Bailey’s statement Wednesday morning talked of uniting behind Trump, not Bost. 

“Conservative principles are constantly challenged and must be defended with vigor. As Republicans, uniting behind President Trump and the America First agenda in November is crucial for the survival of our country and the protection of our freedoms from far-left agendas,” he said. “Despite being outspent more than 10-1, we gave this campaign our all, pouring heart and soul into every effort.”

In the end, Bost carried the counties and drove up the margins on the western side of the district that he expected to win, including the most populated parts of the district in St. Clair County and Monroe County. Bailey last held a public campaign event in the Metro East on March 5 in O’Fallon, while Bost was in the region several days leading up to Tuesday. Bailey’s support, as expected came from the so-called “Eastern Bloc’ counties that were part of his former state senate district. 

“We aimed for higher turnout, yet fell short. Though the results weren’t as we wished, my gratitude for the chance to represent you is boundless,” Bailey said Wednesday.

Bost will face Democrat Brian Roberts, of Carbondale, in November.