Democratic Sen. John Kerry conceded the White House race to President George W. Bush in a phone call today, ending uncertainty about ballot counting in Ohio and cementing Bush's re-election to a second four-year term.

In a dispute that evoked memories of the prolonged election recount in Florida in 2000, questions about provisional and absentee ballots in Ohio had delayed the final outcome of the presidential election for hours.

Kerry will make a public statement at 21 p.m. Bermuda time in Boston, a senior aide to the Massachusetts senator said. Bush is expected to speak publicly at 4 p.m. Bermuda time .

Ohio's 20 electoral votes were the final hurdle to give either candidate the Electoral College majority of 270 needed to win the White House after a divisive campaign that focused on the war in Iraq, the battle against global terrorism, and the economy.

Bush's election win sends him into a second term facing daunting challenges from a worsening insurgency in Iraq ? the aftermath of his decision to invade the country in 2003 ? and soaring federal budget deficits.

Republicans also celebrated expanded majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, building the president's mandate and easing Bush's agenda in Congress.

Unlike the disputed 2000 election when Democrat Al Gore lost the White House but won the popular vote, Bush captured the popular vote this time. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Bush had 51 percent of votes overall against Kerry's 48 percent.