It is with great honor and sincere gratitude that I accept the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois.

Although it took some time to determine the outcome of this election, it is important the process was done right. I understand Senator Dillard wanting to see all the votes counted, and congratulate him on a hard fought primary campaign.

And now it is on to November.

Click here to watch a video thanking you and looking to the campaign ahead in which I'll be talking about jobs, jobs, jobs and reform, reform, reform.

I was not expected to win this election, according to the political pundits. We were outspent and counted out. But, thanks to my supporters and the hard work of my campaign staff, field operation and volunteers, we overcame those odds.

Today is the beginning of the end of the old politics in Illinois. The end of the closed door deals and all the corrupt back rooms.

I am not part of the insider games, that's for sure.

I am a small family-business owner, and I am going to do what I've always done -- helping people get jobs, protecting our families from higher taxes and out-of-control spending, and standing up for what I think is honest.

I am looking forward to the general election, and opportunity to tell Illinois voters why it is time for clean break from the Chicago-style politics and politicians of the past.

Illinois needs a Governor who will balance the budget without raising taxes, someone who will bring back the 700,000 jobs we have lost in recent years, and a Governor who will fight corruption and restore Illinois' tarnished integrity and image.

I will work for all Illinoisans from Cairo to Chicago to make our state a place they want to live and work, not a place they are forced to flee because of high taxes or fewer jobs. When my opponent says raise taxes because the budget isn't balanced, I'll say balance the budget with the taxes you have and not one penny more. And when they say raise fees, I'll say again, not one penny more. It's time to drain government, not the bank accounts of families and businesses.

We need to give back our government to the people of Illinois and get our state back to living within its means again. I look forward to proving to the people of Illinois that I am the candidate to do just that.

Again, thank you so much for your support and your investment in my campaign. Together, we can do great things for Illinois and for our children and grandchildren.