What to Say on the Concession Call to Your Opponent
The concession call is a two-minute conversation people remember for years. If you lost to a Republican, here’s when to make it, what to say and what to leave out.
It’s written for Democrats coming off 2026 races, but it works for any race at any level.
When to Make the Call
Call once the result is clear. A media projection isn’t an official result. In a close race, wait for the canvass, and in Arizona check if you’re inside the automatic recount trigger.
Call before your public statement. Your opponent should hear it from you, not from the news.
A Short Script That Works
Keep it under two minutes. Something like this:
- “Hi, it’s [your name]. I’m calling to congratulate you on your win.”
- “It was a hard-fought race, and I respect the work your team put in.”
- “The people who voted for me care a lot about [one issue]. I hope you’ll take it seriously.”
- “Congratulations again, and my best to your family.”
That’s it. You don’t need to explain the loss, and you don’t need to pretend you agree on everything.
What Not to Say
- Don’t relitigate the campaign, the ads or the outcome.
- Don’t lecture them about how to govern.
- Don’t make promises you won’t keep, like “I’ll never run again.”
- Don’t say anything you’d mind seeing quoted. Assume it could be.
If the Race Got Ugly
You can be gracious without pretending. Congratulate them on the win, not on the campaign.
If they attacked your family or ran ads you consider dishonest, you don’t have to mention it. The call is about the result. Your feelings about the campaign can wait for your post-mortem.
Coordinate Through Your Campaign Managers
On election night, have your campaign manager reach their campaign manager first. They can agree on a time for the call and make sure the candidate actually picks up.
That also keeps the timing in your hands. You decide when you concede, and your supporters hear it from you before they hear it anywhere else.
If You Can't Reach Them
Call their cell, then their campaign manager. If no one answers, leave a short voicemail and send a text with the same message.
A voicemail can be three sentences: “Hi, it’s [your name], calling to congratulate you on your win. It was a hard-fought race. Congratulations, and my best to your family.”
Don’t wait hours to make your public statement just because the concession call didn’t connect.
After the Concession Call
Make your public statement to supporters next. Thank them, name what you built together and tell them what comes next.
Remember that this person now represents you and your voters, and may be your opponent again. Our guides on what to do after losing a general election and whether to run again after losing cover what comes after the concession call.
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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