Republican Jon Huntsman Jr. out-campaigned, outspent and, finally, outlasted Democrat Scott Matheson Jr.

In a convincing win Tuesday, Huntsman, the eldest son of industrialist-philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr., now ventures into political terrain his father tested briefly in 1988 before turning back. Voters decided Matheson won't be following in the footsteps of his dad, the late Scott Matheson Sr., the state's last Democratic governor.

Huntsman told a crowded room of supporters at the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel that they had "taken a very average candidate and helped to make him a little bit above average . . . We're honored and we're humbled by your support in making us the next governor of the greatest state in America."

Huntsman's convincing victory was an affirmation for the GOP, which now continues its 20-year tradition of having a Republican in the governor's office.

The loss by Matheson was a hard one for Democrats, who have for more than a decade been coaxing the moderate University of Utah law school dean to enter the political arena.

Minority party officials saw Matheson as their best shot at the Capitol's corner office since his father retired after two terms in 1985.

In his concession speech just before 10 p.m., Matheson expressed no regrets.

"I felt we had reached a critical moment in time, a critical moment in time when we needed to offer the voters an opportunity to break through the political monopoly and restore some balance to Utah politics," he said. "I'm disappointed, but you know we fought the good fight. . . . There will be other battles to fight, other campaigns to run and I will be with you every step of the way."

Just seconds after stepping off the stage, he climbed back up to join his brother, U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, for his victory speech in the one election night bright spot for Utah Democrats.

Scott Matheson later walked the block from the Marriott Hotel to the Republican celebration, where he embraced Huntsman and family members.

"He [Matheson] knows I'm going to call on him for help and advice from time to time," said Huntsman, who called the race a "high-road, issues-focused" affair.

In many ways, Huntsman and Matheson failed to carve out distinct territory during the campaign, agreeing more than arguing over issues.

Their handful of disagreements revolved around Huntsman's support for tax breaks for families putting their children in private schools, his focus on jobs and the economy and his backing of the constitutional amendment to toughen Utah's existing ban on same-sex marriage.

One issue that emerged relatively late in the campaign was Huntsman's support of moving the Utah State Prison, if it could be done economically. Matheson seized on it in campaign ads toward the end of the race, saying scarce state resources should be focused on education, not prisons.

The issue apparently cut both ways with voters.

"I'm kind of for a new prison," said Taylorsville businessman Larry Johnson, a Huntsman backer.

But teacher Dennis Smith went the other way, saying, "I didn't want to spend the big bucks for a new prison."

Education was the deciding issue for 22-year-old Brigham Young University student Tyler Oblad, who voted for Matheson.

"My dad's a teacher. We were poor," said Oblad. "I'm not a big fan of private-school vouchers."

William Bullock, an 88-year-old Provo resident, said he voted straight Republican, even though he's not a "dyed in the wool" partisan.

Huntsman got his vote mainly because of the good acts of the father, said Bullock, noting that Huntsman Sr. has made his corporate jet available for the use of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

"Out of honor for that, I am honoring his son with my vote."

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Tribune reporters Matt Canham , Brandon Griggs and Mark Eddington contributed to this article.