As Nussle supporters trickled into the Renaissance Savery Hotel, grim news for the Republican Party could be seen on twin projectors, telling of a change in the attitudes of voters.

With 94 percent of the state’s 1,875 precincts reporting, Culver had 57 percent of the votes and Nussle had 42 percent. Although the vote count wasn’t complete, Culver’s lead was far too large for Nussle to overcome.

The results of the Iowa gubernatorial election left the Nussle and Vander Plaats camp with feelings of loss, but not defeat.

“Tonight the verdict is in, and I have an opportunity to talk to the next governor elect, Chet Culver, and I have given him our congratulations,” said Jim Nussle, Republican candidate for governor.

He urged backers to unite behind governor-elect Culver.

“I have wished him Godspeed because Iowa needs leadership,” Nussle said. “He has a lot of work to do and we need to help him.”

The two waged a hard-hitting campaign, in which Nussle argued that Culver simply wasn’t up to the job.

Culver worked overtime to link Nussle to a Republican-led Congress viewed with disfavor by voters. Nussle said that tactic probably worked.

“It’s easy to run against Washington,” Nussle said.

Culver gave his acceptance speech at a noisy victory rally. His win means that after 30 years of Republican governors, there will be at least 12 years of Democratic governors in Iowa.

Gov. Tom Vilsack opted not to seek a third term, and he is instead exploring a run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Vilsack saw Culver’s win as a vindication of the policies he’s put in place as governor.

“Now this state is going to move forward,” Vilsack told cheering backers at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

Culver also looked to put the bruising campaign behind him.

“Congressman Nussle, you ran a hard-fought campaign,” Culver said.

“I have said throughout this campaign that Iowa is at a crossroads. Tonight Iowans have spoken very plainly that they want to continue with the progress. This is not a time to slow down.”

Albert Ngoytz of West Des Moines said he came to the election night party to show his support for Jim Nussle.

“He’s a very smart person, and with 16 years in Congress, he is the most experienced candidate,” Ngoytz said.

Until five weeks ago, Ngoytz said, he voted for Democrats, but their position on the war in Iraq caused him to change his mind.

“I know what it is to live under oppression, under apartheid,” Ngoytz said.

Ngoytz, who moved to the United States 10 years ago from South Africa, said the Democrats’ plan to cut and run helped play a role in his support for Republican candidates.

Nussle, 46, is a former Delaware County prosecutor. He was elected to Congress when former Rep. Tom Tauke, R-Iowa, challenged U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, then went on to serve eight terms and rise to be head of the House Budget Committee.

– The Associated Press contributed to this article