Vindman ran a centrist camapaign focused on corruption and the need for congressional checks on the Trump administration. But some strategists have said his campaign was a sleepy one, centered more on the general election than on the primary, where he faced an experienced campaigner.

Vindman declined to debate Nixon during the campaign. He conceded the race Tuesday night, applauding her “hard work” and Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate. “”I will be standing by her,” he said, “and my hope is that she wins this election, because again, the stakes couldn’t be higher.”