Jeff Bell texted Cory Booker: ‘Congratulations’

New Jersey Republican Jeff Bell says it was 10 p.m. on Election Day when he sent a text message to Sen. Cory Booker congratulating him on his win.

In a letter sent Friday to his supporters, Bell says he was sorry he did not have the chance to talk to Booker, who defeated him for a full six-year term to the Senate, in a phone call.

Bell says the letter was hard to write because he enjoyed the campaign and regrets that he lost. He says he is heartened by the GOP’s congressional pickups. Republicans added seats in the House and took control of the Senate.

Bell returned to New Jersey to seek the seat after a three-decade absence. He was the GOP’s 1978 candidate, but lost to Bill Bradley.