MINNEAPOLIS — GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Mike McFadden says Minnesota’s Republican party is in better shape than two years ago, despite his loss to Sen. Al Franken.

McFadden’s loss seals a race that never fully blossomed. Franken’s narrow win in 2008 made him an alluring target for Republicans seeking to regain control of the Senate. But Franken led McFadden in public polls throughout the race and quickly won Tuesday night.

McFadden addressed supporters in Minneapolis after conceding to Franken.

He says he’s proud of the campaign he ran against the freshman Democrat.

By defeating several incumbent Democrats in states like Arkansas, North Carolina and Colorado, Republicans have taken back the Senate majority.