Murray Loses to Moran, but Remains Happy and Proud

With Fox News on every other TV, Bailey's in Ballston was filled with GOP and 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Patrick Murray's supporters.

More than 100 people at Bailey's cheered as Republican gains were announced Tuesday night, but Murray, a retired Army colonel, earned just 37.31 percent of the vote. The Democratic incumbent, Rep. Jim Moran, claimed 61.01 percent, securing his 11th term in Congress.

"This has been the best experience of my life," Murray said. "We are disappointed that we came up short, but [happy with] this outpouring of support and [proud of] what we've had in the last two months of this campaign and what we've put together."

In his speech to supporters at Bailey's, amid cheers of "We love you, Patrick!" Murray thanked everyone for coming out and quoted Winston Churchill, who said, "Never, ever quit."

"You don't build a house without a foundation and what we have is a foundation, Murray said later. "I'm not going anywhere and we're not going anywhere. I'm happy with what's happening across the country and I'm happy with what happened with us tonight, even though I'm disappointed with the outcome."

Supporters of the GOP and Murray at Bailey's were of all ages and walks of life. There were veterans, adults, young adults and a couple of high school students.

"I was born and raised in the 8th District, so I've been alive for almost as long as Moran's been in office," 24-year-old Vanessa Hatcher. "Patrick is a great guy and he's not a politician and he ran a great race and I was happy to support him. I definitely think the success of the Republicans today reflects on the leadership of this country and how people feel in general, so it's sad Patrick lost, but in its entirety the Republican gain is a good thing."