President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. Romney conceded to Obama in a phone call at about midnight.

“This happened because of you. Thank you” Obama tweeted to supporters as he secured four more years in the White House.

The president sealed his victory in Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire and Colorado, four of the nine battleground states where the two rivals and their allies spent nearly $1 billion on dueling television commercials.

Ultimately, the result of the brawl of an election campaign appeared likely to be the political status quo. Democrats won two more years of control in the Senate, and, as of press time, Republicans were on track to do likewise in the House.

Romney was in Massachusetts, his long and grueling bid for the presidency at an unsuccessful end.

The two rivals were close in the popular vote.

Romney had 53.6 million votes, or 49 percent. Obama had 54.5 million, 50 percent, as of 1:20 a.m.

But Obama’s laser-like focus on battleground states gave him the majority in the electoral vote, where it mattered most. He had 303, or 33 more than needed for victory. Romney had 206.

Yet to be settled was battleground state Florida.

Here on campus, the Illini Democrats celebrated the victory of their candidate of choice.

“We celebrated Obama being re-elected,” said organization President Shana Harrison. “There were some cheers and hugs and excitement. It was a great win to bring home for our team right now.”

State Sen. Michael Frerichs, of the 52nd District in Champaign, shared their excitement.

“I’m just very happy to hear that result,” Frerichs said Tuesday night.

The College Republicans found strength in the gains that the House of Representatives made by obtaining control.

“Well, Obama has been re-elected, and basically Gov. Romney and Ryan ran an excellent campaign. They had a ton of support, and unfortunately, America chose otherwise,” said organization President Despina Batson. “But, we kept the house, and we still have that strong hold, and it will be a very interesting next four years.”

Republican candidate for state representative Rob Meister looked to citizens to put the country — and Obama — on the right track.

“This is one of those elections where I know a lot of people disagree, but I feel like we (Americans) can’t lose,” Meister said. “What we need to do is pull them in one direction or another.”

During his acceptance speech, Obama said the American people have “picked ourselves up” and fought back during tough economic times, declaring after winning re-election that the “best is yet to come.”

“The task of protecting our union moves forward,” he said. “It moves forward because of you.”

Obama said he wants to meet with Republican rival Romney to discuss how they can work together. He said they may have “battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply.”

Romney reciprocated, congratulating the man who he had campaigned against for more than a year.

Earlier, he raced to Ohio and Pennsylvania for Election Day campaigning and projected confidence as he flew home to Massachusetts.

He gave his concession speech just after midnight.

“This election is over, but our principles endure,” he said in the speech.

He said the nation is at a critical point and urged Americans not to engage in partisan bickering.

“I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation,” he added.

The Associated Press and staff writers Corinne Ruff, Austin Keating and Chrissy Pawlowski contributed to this report.