After earlier suggesting that an automatic recount might be triggered in the 33rd Senate District race, Republican Melissa Ziobron conceded the race to Democrat Norm Needleman this afternoon.

“Friends, a few minutes ago I conceded the race to my opponent and wished him luck,” Ziobron said in a Facebook post. “Thank you for standing by me during my toughest times. I won’t forget it.”

The campaign had been a grueling affair over recent months, with the candidates trading blows on each other’s records, fueled by PAC ads on both sides.

In the end, Needleman prevailed by racking up healthy margins in Chester, Deep River and Essex, where he currently serves as First Selectman.

Unofficial vote tallies put Needleman over the top by 300 votes.