Jason Kander conceded his challenge to GOP Sen. Roy Blunt in the hotly contested Missouri Senate race, though the result had yet not been officially called.

Kander told supporters, “You’ve got to pick yourself up. That’s what I’m going to do,” according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Blunt said early Wednesday morning that Kander also phoned him to concede. The race was rated a Tossup by the Rothenberg & Gonzalez Political Report/Roll Call.

“What a competition it was,” Blunt told supporters Wednesday morning. “How sweet it is to win.”

When Blunt addressed his supporters, the Associated Press had not yet called his race. But he had a roughly five point lead over Kander, with nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting.

Blunt took the stage also with news that Republicans would maintain control of the Senate, and with GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump appearing close to winning the presidency.

“A Republican president and a Republican Senate and a Republican House can do things to change this country and focus again on opportunity,” Blunt said.

Contact Bowman at bridgetbowman@rollcall.com and follow her on Twitter @bridgetbhc.