ANDERSON — Gov. Mitch Daniels coasted to an easy re-election Tuesday night over persistent challenger Jill Long Thompson, who conceded defeat at about 9 p.m.

Daniels wasn’t shy about advancing his call for change into a second term as he celebrated his victory with supporters at Conseco Fieldhouse about 9:30 p.m.

“The movement for change is moving ahead,” he declared.

“This is less an endorsement than an instruction, this is less a victory than an assignment,” Daniels said. “And what the people of Indiana have said is that they want us to press forward with change and improvement and reform to make education better, taxpayers better protected and make this the great state it can be.”

Long Thompson says the race didn’t turn out as she hoped, but says her campaign “put a big crack in that glass ceiling.”

The third floor of the Paramount Theatre Centre was rocking to the ear-splitting sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star” as Republicans gathered to watch the results.

“Mitch Daniels has done a great job,” said Bruce Dunham. “He’s treated the state as a business instead of politics as usual.”

Grerayle Walton, kneeling down staring into a computer screen, worked to re-elect Daniels.

“I think he’s done a good job,” he said. He cited the new caseworkers the governor had hired and the selling of the toll road. “He’ll do good for another four years.”

Kids ran around and cheers rang up when a favorite, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, who had just been elected for another term, came in to talk to the faithful.

Democrats, of course, weren’t as excited at the re-election of Daniels.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Patrick Manship, Democratic candidate for surveyor. “He worked hard and had more money to spend on advertising.” Daniels reportedly outspent Thompson by $10 million.

He said he talked to many Democrats when he campaigned door to door and found that they favored Daniels.

Pat Davis, Anderson Township assessor whose job was on the line in Tuesday’s election, said she was disappointed. “I don’t like privatization.”

She said because of Daniels’ policies, people can expect more taxes, such as wheel tax and for trash pickup.