SAN ANTONIO -- Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz conceded to his Republican challenger Susan Pamerleau Tuesday night.
Ortiz has served as Bexar County Sheriff for the past four years.
Pamerleau, a retired Air Force major general took an early lead as numbers rolled in. Ortiz, remained optimistic throughout the night, but it was not enough.
Ortiz conceded with 48-percent of the votes to Pamerleau's 52-percent. Almost all of the precincts were accounted for when Ortiz made the announcement.
"It was mathematically impossible for me to win," Ortiz said. "So, I went ahead and conceded so my campaign workers can go home and get well deserved rest."
Tuesday night at his campaign party, Ortiz announced he was retiring.
"I had a very interesting and very long career in law enforcement. But now, I think it's time to step aside and let somebody else take over, " added Ortiz.
Ortiz went on to say he had expected more people to head to the polls.
About 81,500 fewer people voted in Bexar County compared to the 2008 election.
