HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Republican Danny Diggs has been declared the winner of the race for the 24th District state Senate seat by the Associated Press, beating out Democratic opponent Monty Mason, who conceded the race in a call to the former sheriff Wednesday afternoon.

Diggs had declared victory in his bid for the Senate seat Tuesday night, though Mason did not immediately concede, with the margin of Diggs’ lead Tuesday night at 1,104 votes. By Wednesday afternoon, Diggs’ lead has increased to 1,684 votes.

Mason, in his concession, expressed his appreciation to family, friends, his campaign team, volunteers and supporters, and said despite no longer being a state senator, he would be the district’s strongest advocate and fiercest fighter.

“Yesterday, the voters of Senate District 24 spoke and they chose a new state senator,” Mason said in a statement. “For the last 10 years, it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of the Peninsula. During my time as a delegate and state senator, I’m proud to have worked hard everyday to better the lives of all Virginians, especially vulnerable communities like children, seniors, veterans and the mentally ill.”

“I congratulate Mr. Diggs on a hard-fought win and wish him the best of luck in his service to the people of the 24th District,” Mason added. “We have our differences, but I believe in my heart that he wants what is best for his community — just like I have for the last 10 years, and will continue to everyday in the future.”

“Thank God for being with me,” said Diggs, a former sheriff with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office in an interview with 10 On Your Side’s Andy Fox when asked what he said to his supporters. “Hey, I know what you’re looking for — there’s a new sheriff in town.”

Diggs got more emotional than normal, he acknowledged.

“I don’t know how I feel,” Diggs said. “You’ve seen this roller coaster tonight. We’ve been up and down all day long. This has been a long campaign. It’s been tough. Sometimes I think I’m going to lose my composure. The next minute I’m on top of the world.”