DELANO, Minn.  — Republican Tom Emmer has conceded the Minnesota governor’s race to Mark Dayton, after a statewide recount made little difference in the Democrat’s election night lead of nearly 9,000 votes.

Emmer conceded Wednesday at a news conference at his home west of Minneapolis. He could have sued over the election outcome but decided against it after a key state Supreme Court decision went against him a day earlier.

Emmer’s concession vaults Dayton back into power just four years after he quit the U.S. Senate after a single term. It also gives Democrats the governor’s office, a prize they haven’t won in 20 years.

Dayton has to move ahead quickly with his transition. He’s due to take office Jan. 3 and the state has a budget deficit of more than $6 billion.