Doug Ducey will be the next governor of Arizona after the Republican defeated his Democratic challenger, Fred DuVal, the Associated Press reported Tuesday night.

Late in the night, Ducey led with about 54 percent of the vote to DuVal’s 41 percent with about three-quarters of precincts reporting their results.

Ducey is the former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery and is currently serving as the state treasurer. He had come out of a hotly-contested and crowded primary fight to win the Republican nomination for governor in August.

Gov. Jan Brewer, whose term as governor will end in January, made an appearance before Ducey’s televised acceptance speech, congratulating him on his win.“Doug Ducey will bring calm and principled leadership to get the job done,” Brewer said.

Ducey emphasized his platform of educational reform and opportunity for everyone during his acceptance speech.

“In education, opportunity depends on reform,” Ducey said, “and reform depends on fairness, and fairness depends on leadership.”

Ducey said every child in the state has a right to a quality education. Ducey also said during his televised speech that the state needs to limit government spending and move past high taxes and “reckless spending.”

During his televised speech, Ducey added that he also wants to push for economic growth and starting up businesses.

“If you’re looking to build, relocate or add jobs, Arizona is the place for you,” Ducey said.

Ducey said Arizona is a place of opportunity for anyone. He also said that beginning tonight, he will work diligently as governor and that he will work to make Arizona a “more just, more compassionate, more welcoming place.”

DuVal officially conceded from the race around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. In his concession speech, DuVal thanked his supporters and said he was impacted by the opportunity to run in this gubernatorial race.

DuVal also emphasized the need for democracy to prevail and to meet the needs of its people.

“The clarion call of our voiceless children must prevail,” DuVal said. “We will not be defeated because a new day is just ahead of us.”

DuVal also wished Ducey luck in his new position as governor of Arizona.

More than 1.1 million ballots were cast in Arizona this election, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office reported, with voter turnout in the state at about 35.3 percent.

Other statewide elections

Republicans swept other statewide offices Tuesday night.

Republican Mark Brnovich was elected Arizona attorney general, defeating Democrat Felecia Rotellini.

The Associated Press also called Republican Michele Reagan the winner of the race for Arizona secretary of state late Tuesday night. She defeated Democrat Terry Goddard, former Arizona attorney general and former mayor of Phoenix.

Jeff DeWit, a Republican, won the state treasurer to succeed Ducey, running for the position unopposed.

The race for state superintendent of public instruction was too close to call Tuesday night, with Democrat David Garcia and Republican Diane Douglas both close to holding about 50 percent of the vote with about 75 percent of precincts reporting.

­— Ethan McSweeney contributed reporting to this article

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