Greg Orman concedes to incumbent Pat Roberts

Pat Roberts retained his seat in the U.S. Senate in Kansas as he defeated Independent challenger Greg Orman Tuesday night.

“Although Sen. Roberts won tonight, we didn’t lose,” Orman said to a cheering crowd at the Overland Park Convention Center.

“We not only ran against Sen. Roberts, we ran against the whole Washinghton establishment and Kansans and all of you in this room sent them a very strong message,” he said.

With more than $27 million spent on the race, it set a state record for the amount of money spent on the campaigns.

In an interview with the media after his concession speech, Orman said should he run again, he would run as an independent.

“I believe that partisanship is a big part of the problem in Washington, so I am what I would consider to be a lifelong independent” Orman said. “We need more independents in Washington, and that is what I’m going to support going forward.”