Although Matt Entenza spent an unprecedented $675,000 of his own cash in his quest to beat DFL auditor Rebecca Otto in a primary, the cash did not bring him victory.
"Tonight Matt Entenza conceded to Rebecca Otto and fully endorsed her campaign for State Auditor," his campaign said.
"I wholeheartedly endorse her reelection," Entenza said in a statement about 90 minutes after polls closed.
Otto had two terms on the job and the strong backing from the DFL Party.
"Minnesotans understand that Auditor Otto is nationally recognized for her work and came out to support her for a third term," DFL Party chair Ken Martin said in a statement that did not mention Entenza by name. "This is also a win for the thousands of DFL volunteers who door knocked, phoned and appeared in parades for Auditor Otto. They will continue to show her their support as we work toward victory in the Nov. 4 general election."
With more than a third of the vote counted, she had about 83 percent of the vote.
