Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney arrives on his campaign plane at Boston's Logan Airport

BOSTON - Mitt Romney has conceded defeat in the presidential contest.

The Republican nominee told supporters he would pray for Barack Obama's success in leading the nation.

Romney thanked his running mate Paul Ryan, saying the Wisconsin congressman had a bright future in the GOP.

Romney lost nearly all the major battleground states to Obama including Ohio, the hardest fought prize.

The former Massachusetts governor said it was time to put aside partisan bickering and work together for the good of the country.