ABOVE: Ned Pillersdorf, of Prestonsburg, watches a projector of CNN at the Marriott Louisville Downtown as exit polls from across the state come in with Rand Paul ahead of Jack Conway. “It’s like watching a funeral,” Pillersdorf said. “I was hoping the polls were wrong.” LANCE BOOTH/HERALD

Follow the Herald’s coverage from victory headquarters all night long, from the time the first polls close until the winner is officially declared and everything in between.

8:19 P.M. Conway said in his concession speech that when he thinks about the campaign, he’ll think about “the journey.”

“And what a journey I had,” he said.

Conway said that his campaign was about the people of Kentucky.

“To the people of my beloved commonwealth – you have opened your homes and hearts to Elizabeth and I, and I have loved you for it.”

He said his supporters should wish Paul well as a new U.S. senator.

8:04 P.M. Conway has called Paul to congratulate him.

“We ought to wish (Paul) well as he tries to do right by our state,” he said.

8:03 P.M. Conway is giving his concession speech. Supporters chanted “We want Jack” as he walked onto the stage.

7:57 P.M. Reports are that Conway will speak soon.

From Yarmuth: “Whether I’m in the minority or majority when I return to congress, my voice will still be as strong as it is… We have a country that is fiercely divided … I remain committed to reality-based goals and reality-based policy.”

7:35 P.M. Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth defeated Republican opponent Todd Lally for the U.S. House of Representative 3rd District seat. Yarmuth spoke at Conway’s election party.

If the projections are true that Conway has lost his race, “we have missed an opportunity to elect a truly capable, visionary” candidate, Yarmuth said.

7:21 P.M. Haley said Conway winning Jefferson County is “great.” No word yet on when the attorney general will come to the stage.

7:01 P.M. Conway beat Paul in Jefferson County by about 11,000 votes.

6:21 P.M. Haley expressed doubt about media outlets calling the race for Paul.

“Everything I’ve heard has been from you all on the ground, and I think it’s still a little too early to tell,” she said.

6:07 P.M. Multiple national media outlets are calling the race for Paul, but Conway is still leading 52 percent to 47 percent with four counties partially reported.

5:48 P.M. Conway’s press secretary Allison Haley said she knows the U.S. Senate race is going to be a close one, but the Conway campaign is feeling confident right now.

Recent results coming show Conway’s opponent Rand Paul ahead by 4 percent with two counties partially reported.

4:56 P.M. Media are setting up in front of an empty podium at U.S. Senate candidate and Attorney General Jack Conway’s election night headquarters at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Conway and supporters are expected to show up in the next hour or so.