Former Louisville city councilman Hal Heiner is conceding in Kentucky's Republican primary for governor.
But the race remains too close to call, with early returns Tuesday showing businessman Matt Bevin with a narrow lead over Agriculture Commissioner James Comer. Former state Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott lagged far behind.
The campaign was marked by allegations that Comer abused an ex-girlfriend in college in the 1990s. Comer denied the allegations and was never charged. He accused opponent Hal Heiner of scheming with a blogger who was promoting the abuse story.
Heiner later publicly apologized.
Heiner said Tuesday that he had called to congratulate Bevin. He says voters should stay involved and support the Republican Party.