Holliston Republican Dan Haley had nothing but positive things to say on Wednesday about Democrat Carolyn Dykema, who beat him in the race for Middlesex County's 8th House District Tuesday.

With all precincts reporting, the Boston Globe reports that Dykema earned 52 percent of the vote and Haley earned 48 percent.

Dykema's win is particularly significant because it represents a pick up for the Democrats. Middlesex's 8th District was previously held by Republican state Rep. Paul Loscocco.

Haley said he is proud the campaign he ran and that Dykema should be proud of her campaign as well.

"First of all, I think Carolyn ran a great race, she is absolutely to be congratulated," Haley told PolitickerMA.com. "I am very pleased to have come out on the end of this thing never having said anything I didn't mean and I don't think Carolyn ever did, either. We had a very good issues based campaign, and it turned out the way it did and that is fine."

Haley said he didn't have any regrets, but noted that it was a difficult year for Republicans both around the country and in Massachusetts.

"Obviously we suffered for what was going on up ballot in some ways, but that's not an excuse," he said. "Carolyn ran a great race and she won fair and square."

Haley also said he was glad the race stayed positive and based on the issues. He said that while he disagrees with Dykema on some of those issues, he thinks "she'll be a very good representative."

Middlesex's 8th District race represents one of three races where Democrats expanded their majority in the state House of Representatives. Attleboro Democrat Bill Bowles won Republican state Rep. John Lepper's 2nd Bristol seat. Longmeadow Democrat Brian Ashe was also projected to pick up Republican state Rep. Mary Rogeness seat in Hampden's 2nd District, according to the Boston Globe.

Haley said he doesn't believe Massachusetts voters are naturally opposed to supporting Republicans.

"I don't think the voters of Massachusetts necessarily intended to give more of mandate to those who got us in the mess we're in now," he said, referring to Democrats. But, Haley added, if Republicans want to be successful, more have to jump into the political ring.

"There has to be people running," he said.