David Sibley concedes State Senate race

By Michael W. Shapiro

Former State Sen. David Sibley conceded the State Senate runoff to Brian Birdwell.

"I'm disappointed but I always thought the voters were smart when they elected me so who am I to question what they did tonight," Sibley said.

Of his opponent, Sibley said "he did a great job identifying his voters and he got them out. We simply couldn't withstand the turnout in the northern counties."

Tonight's election makes Birdwell the State Senator through the end of the year. But Sibley also said he won't pursue the GOP nomination for the upcoming 2011 term.

The nomination could be determined by committees of county party chairs in the district — both Democratic and Republican — presuming former State Sen. Kip Averitt pulls his name from the ballot.

Averitt hasn't done that yet, and in several interviews today said he might not if Birdwell won, because he was concerned his candidacy might be vulnerable to legal challenge because of a residency requirement issue.

Averitt said his health has improved since January when he pulled himself off the campaign trail, and he said he would have conversations with party officials in the coming days before making a decision.

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