State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) has conceded the race for Illinois governor to Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn or Chicago. Brady’s announcement came as Quinn’s lead in the ballot count grew to nearly 20,000 votes.

Twenty thousand votes is not a lot when you consider that more than 3.5- million ballots were cast. But the margin was enough that Brady on Friday afternoon, in his hometown of Bloomington, called it quits.

“I just a few minutes ago got off the phone with Governor Quinn, and I congratulated him on his victory, as he deserved,” Brady told the crowd of supporters, staff members and reporters.

Brady says Quinn invited him to Manny’s Deli in Chicago to eat and talk about the state. Quinn visited the restaurant Thursday to publicly thank voters after the Associated Press declared him the winner. The news organization determined not enough absentee or provisional ballots remained to put Brady over the top.

“It is time, after a bitter election, that our leaders come together and unite, for the families of Illinois,” Brady said.

Asked if he plans to run again for governor, Brady replied, “Life’s too short rule anything out.” At the same time, his wife Nancy said, “We’re not going to answer that question right now,” drawing laughs from the crowd.