Conservative Candidate Mia Love Just Made History in Utah

Republican Mia Love narrowly defeated her Democratic rival Doug Owens for an open Democratic seat in Utah, making her the first black Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. House, ABC News reports.

Owens reportedly conceded the race to Love late Tuesday.

“Thank you for the trust you have placed in me,” Love said in a statement. “I will work every day to be deserving of it. Regardless of who you voted for today, I hope you know that I am going to Washington to represent everyone in the district and invite you to engage with me in finding real solutions to the challenges we face as a country.”

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah Mia Love speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac.Credit: Getty Images

Love also pledged to “work every day to keep the federal government out of your lives, out of your pockets, and out of your way so you can run toward your own American Dream.”

Republicans claimed a commanding majority in the House on Tuesday, pushing their dominance to near-historic levels.

The GOP easily won the 218 seats required and was on track to match or surpass the 246 seats they held in President Harry S. Truman's administration more than 60 years ago. President Barack Obama will face an all-GOP Congress in his final two years as Republicans regained control of the Senate.

"We are humbled by the responsibility the American people have placed with us, but this is not a time for celebration," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement. "It's time for government to start getting results and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our country, starting with our still-struggling economy."

Democrats had a few bright spots, but their hopes of keeping losses to a minimum disappeared under the GOP onslaught.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.