HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Democrat Ned Lamont conceded the U.S. Senate race Tuesday to incumbent Joe Lieberman, who made a triumphant return from political limbo after Lamont beat him in a Democratic primary.

“I am so much more optimistic about our country and our direction and our future, having had this extraordinary conversation with the people of Connecticut over the last 10 months,” Lamont said in a speech to supporters at his Meriden headquarters.

Lieberman’s victory comes three months after a stunning loss in the Democratic primary that put his 18-year Senate career in peril. Lamont, a wealthy businessman and political unknown, upset Lieberman in August in a contest widely seen as a referendum on Iraq and a sharp rebuke of Lieberman’s pro-war views.