In win, Obama ‘more determined’ than ever

Swing states propelled President Obama to reelection after a formidable challenge by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Derrick Z. Jackson/Globe Staff

During his victory speech, President Obama declared that “the best is yet to come” for the nation.

Obama was accompanied by his family in Chicago.

Obama, who needed 270 electoral votes to be elected, was declared the winner by TV networks around 11:15 p.m.

jeff haynes/REUTERS

Obama, who needed 270 electoral votes to be elected, was declared the winner by TV networks around 11:15 p.m.

Mitt Romney conceded during a speech in Boston.

MIKE SEGAR/reuters

Mitt Romney conceded during a speech in Boston.

Romney and his wife, Ann, waved to somber backers early Wednesday.

JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

Romney and his wife, Ann, waved to somber backers early Wednesday.

Elizabeth Warren hugged her husband, Bruce Mann, after her victory speech.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Elizabeth Warren hugged her husband, Bruce Mann, after her victory speech.

Scott Brown gave a concession speech.

dina rudick/globe staff

Scott Brown gave a concession speech.

Winner of the 4th Congressional District, Joseph Kennedy III acknowledged applause during his rally at the Newton Marriott.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Winner of the 4th Congressional District, Joseph Kennedy III acknowledged applause during his rally at the Newton Marriott.

Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District Sean Bielat gave his concession speech.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District Sean Bielat gave his concession speech.

Bernie Starr, left, joined his partner Richard Tisei in Peabody.

John Blanding/Globe Staff

Bernie Starr, left, joined his partner Richard Tisei, who challenged John F. Tierney in the Mass. 6th Congressional District, in Peabody.

Supporters gathered around a television at John F. Tierney's election-night event in Salem. Tierney narrowly won reelection.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Supporters gathered around a television at John F. Tierney's election-night event in Salem. Tierney narrowly won reelection.

Cean Orrett (center) and Gareth Edmondson-Jones reacted to positive predictions for President Obama in Times Square.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Cean Orrett (center) and Gareth Edmondson-Jones reacted to positive predictions for President Obama in Times Square.

After a long campaign, Romney supporters watched the election results at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

After a long campaign, Romney supporters watched the election results at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Romney supporters were somber in Boston.

Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images

Romney supporters were somber in Boston.

Romney supporters watched results at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Michael Ivins/EPA

Romney supporters watched results at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Romney supporters rested on the floor at the entrance to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Romney supporter rested on the floor at the entrance to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Supporters of President Obama cheered while watching the returns at his election night rally in Chicago.

Larry Downing/Reuters

Supporters of President Obama cheered while watching the returns at his election night rally in Chicago.

Travis Beatty used a flashlight to look at a sample ballot as he waited with other voters in line near Birmingham, Ala.

Tamika Moore/The Birmingham News/Associated Press

Travis Beatty used a flashlight to look at a sample ballot as he waited with other voters in line near Birmingham, Ala.

Arizona Democrats in Tucson celebrated as Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Arizona Democrats in Tucson celebrated as Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Ajay Narayan cheered as the race is called for Barack Obama at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Sam Morris/Las Vegas Sun/Reuters

Ajay Narayan cheered as the race was called for President Obama at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Supporters of President Obama celebrated as they watched election results in Harlem.

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Supporters of President Obama celebrated as they watched election results in Harlem.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/07/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/121106senate0204--90x90.jpg Warren elected decisively in victory for liberalism

Elizabeth Warren, a former Obama advisor who ran against Tea Party ideals, won after being buoyed by Massachusetts cities.

John F. Tierney, with his wife, Patrice, spoke to supporters early Wednesday in Salem.

Rep. Tierney hangs on to win Sixth District

Rep. John Tierney held on to win a ninth term, beating Republican Richard Tisei by the narrowest margin since his first victory.

video

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/03/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/7b1468077a0c49efbf6b86cbfcee3ce3-98892640fe82d91e1f0f6a706700966a-3410--90x90.jpg Election Day videos

Globe analysis on the races, reports from the rallies, and scenes from the polls.

Interactive graphic

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/05/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/90x90voting.jpg Election results

Maps of state-by-state presidential results, town-by-town Senate results, and links to other US, state, and local races.

Question 2 backers Allegra Harris, Miriam Baker, Clark Baker, and Brittney Jones tracked vote results in Waltham.

Ballot questions

Assisted suicide measure narrowly defeated

The Death with Dignity Campaign conceded early Wednesday morning as preliminary results indicated opponents turned in 51 percent of the vote.

Day after election, stocks plunge

The Dow Jones industrial average fell as much as 369 points in the first hours of trading, following the presidential election and news of reduced European growth forecasts.

Joanna Weiss

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/Library/Staff/Caricatures/weiss.png Fox News provided the evening’s entertainment

On a night of far less tension than expected, Fox News offered the high emotions.

Sports

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Predictably, Bill Belichick has no theories on his second-half success. He just takes things one game at a time.

Patriots historically tough to beat after bye

As they head into the season’s 2nd half, the Patriots carry a 9-3 post-bye record under Bill Belichick, and an impressive 86-23 mark in November and December.