Azeem Concedes 2nd Middlesex District Race

Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem officially conceded the race for the 2nd Middlesex District seat, he confirmed in an interview with The Crimson at 10:02 p.m.

“The numbers aren’t official but we are now past the point that we can’t win,” he told a gathered crowd of around 33 supporters, including canvassers. Azeem personally thanked those who had come out to support his campaign.

Azeem said he had called Erika Uyterhoeven shortly before and told her that “she was probably going to be a winner,” wishing her good luck for the rest of the race. As of 10 p.m., Uyterhoeven had secured 38 percent of the vote. State Representative Christine P. Barber had secured 31 percent, with 73 percent of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press. The Crimson is tracking the results live.

Azeem acknowledged that much of his support has come from Cambridge, which makes up roughly one-third of the district. His opponents all drew greater support from Somerville, where they are based.

“We did better than we were hoping in Somerville,” he said. “But I think once we get out to where we were further — in Winchester and Medford — we just weren’t able to get the numbers that we wanted.”

Still, Azeem said that he ran a “very positive” and strong campaign and that he had no regrets.

“I feel like we did everything that we could have,” he said. “Sometimes what happens is what happens.”