U.S. Republican Congressman Paul Broun offered thanks to his supporters and to God during his victory speech following his defeat of Democrat Bobby Saxon.

“Thank you, and thank the Lord,” he said.

Broun, who represents Georgia’s 10th district, was winning 65 to 35 percent when he took to the podium to express gratitude to his supporters at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

“It’s you that makes this worthwhile.”

He stressed the need for positive change.

Since winning office in July 2007, Broun was appointed to both the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Broun said he looks forward to serving his constituents for another term.

“I pray for support as we go forward,” he said. “And I look forward to meeting back here two years from now.”

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Broun pulled 61.8 percent of voters and first-time runner Saxon held 38.2 percent of voters.

Saxon learned of his loss at an Athens Veterans of Foreign Wars outpost with a crowd of 70 supporters, volunteers and friends.

“I’ve learned a lot of lessons,” he said. “I plan to stay actively involved in getting rid of bipartisanship.”

Saxon failed to carry the Augusta area, which has the highest population in the district.

“He has run a great race,” said Saxon’s brother, Mark Saxon. “He is definitely going into politics.”

Tommy Valentine, a Saxon campaign spokesperson and University student, attended the rally.

“It is proof that voters, as time goes by, are more concerned with the party than the person,” Valentine said.

But he said he was happy with the progress the Saxon campaign was able to achieve in a district that is historically Republican.

Other University students were in attendance, including Logan Krusac, a freshman from Smryna, who worked on as Saxon’s public relations director.

Saxon said the loss will not deter him from running for the seat again. He said he intends to take Wednesday off before going back to computer consulting and rebuilding his business until the next election.