Republican congressional candidate Dan Bongino finally conceded defeat against Maryland Rep. John Delaney Friday morning, and he used his concession message to recount a moment of kindness between the two candidates in the final months of a tight, hard-fought campaign.

In a conversation with his Democratic opponent a few months ago, Bongino revealed that his wife had been experiencing health issues, which had forced him to limit campaign appearances. Delaney responded with a handwritten letter “expressing his heartfelt concerns for my wife and my family, given the circumstances we were dealing with,” according to Bongino.

“I never forgot that,” Bongino wrote on Facebook Friday. “It reminded me that although our wonderful country is currently marked by passionate political differences, these differences should never become personal.”

A few months ago, Congressman Delaney and I had a long conversation at the Frederick County Fair. During the conversation, he asked me how my family was holding up during the final months of the campaign. I told him that my wife was having some issues with her health which were being compounded by the stress and difficulty of a relentless campaign schedule, and that I had to curtail the schedule as a result.

Later that week, I received a handwritten letter from Congressman Delaney expressing his heartfelt concerns for my wife and my family, given the circumstances we were dealing with. I never forgot that. It reminded me that although our wonderful country is currently marked by passionate political differences, these differences should never become personal.

The Associated Press called the race in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District for Delaney late Thursday.

“The first-term congressman led Dan Bongino by 2,269 votes out of more than 184,000 cast after Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Montgomery counties reported their canvass results Thursday,” according to the AP.

Delaney praised Bongino on social media as well.

I’d like to congratulate Dan Bongino on a vigorous campaign. — John Delaney (@JDelaneyforMD) November 7, 2014

He has dedicated his life to serving his country and on the campaign trail he was always a complete gentleman ready with a warm handshake. — John Delaney (@JDelaneyforMD) November 7, 2014

We don’t agree on how to get there, but Mr. Bongino and I want many of the same things for our country. — John Delaney (@JDelaneyforMD) November 7, 2014

Follow Paul on Twitter