Democratic state Senate candidate Deborah Gianoulis has conceded in her race against Republican Party chairman John Thrasher.

“It’s been a busy day,” Thrasher told The Florida Independent. “It’s been a busy six months. This election is important for our state, but even more so for America. This determines the direction our country is headed.”

Thrasher also credited the tea party for its support of the Republican cause: “The tea party is great, very supportive. They believe in much of what the Republican Party does, and we’re going to work together.”