Bush told: You will win Ohio

President Bush has won the tightly contested state of Ohio and its 20 electoral votes, networks are projecting.

According to United Press International, at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Bush was told by a senior adviser that Ohio would come down in his column, eventually bringing him at least 274 electoral votes. To win the presidency, a candidate must win at least 270 votes.

“I believe I will win,” Bush told reporters from the residence of the White House where he was gathered with family and friends to watch the election returns. ” We’re very upbeat. … It’s going to be an exciting evening.”

Florida and Alaska also has been called for Bush, so at this point, Kerry would have to win all outstanding states just to tie the election at 269 votes each.

Bush was declared the winner in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Kerry was declared the winner in California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.