Republican incumbent Mitch Daniels out-spent Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson by a margin of nearly 3-to-1, and he soundly defeated her by around 20-percent.

While the polls showed Mitch Daniels way ahead, when he headed to the polls Tuesday morning he was not too worried about that

“Another good thing about today is that all those polls people take don’t matter anymore. This is the only one that does, so we don’t really have to wonder about or argue about it,” said Daniels.

Meanwhile, Jill Long Thompson put a lot of hope in earlier polls that showed a close race when we caught up with her while she voted in her home precinct near Argos.

“I just think that based on my internal calls, things look very good and I hope all my supporters come out and vote today,” said Long Thompson.

She hoped enthusiasm for Barack Obama would carry over into her race, but just three hours after polls closed it was clear that was not enough.

“I just called Governor Daniels to congratulate him and wish him well over the next four years, and I mean it very sincerely. I wish him and his wife Sherri and Lt. Governor Skillman the very best because the state and the future is too important, and the legacy that is left to our children is too important,” said Long Thompson.

And for Daniels, it was a time to celebrate four more years.

“Four years ago tonight, I said to our partners-to-be in the general assembly, ‘Buckle up.’ Well, tonight, we say please re-check to make sure your seatbelts are still securely fastened, the movement for change is moving ahead,” said Daniels.

The Associated Press actually called the governor’s race less than an hour after the polls closed, based purely on exit polling.