By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
Former Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte spoke to her enthusiastic supporters Election Night in Salem telling them: “This isn’t my victory. This is our victory.”
Ayotte thanked former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, her Democratic opponent, for her concession phone call and for Craig’s “spirited campaign.” Ayotte won with 52 percent of the vote to Craig’s 46 percent.
Ayotte thanked all the people who spoke to her at fairs and while travelling around the state taking time to hear her message. “I’m just grateful for all of you,” Ayotte said.
She thanked her family and outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu saying she wouldn’t be where she is without him, calling him the “603” guy.
Reminding the crowd that it was Sununu’s birthday, the crowd broke into a spirited Happy Birthday song.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH, will be returning to Washington beating former Republican state Senator and Executive Councilor Russell Prescott who conceded with 54 to 46 percent of the vote in Pappas’ favor for the First Congressional District seat.
Although Democrat Maggie Goodlander held a commanding lead over Republican Lily Tang Williams of Weare for the evening as the votes were tallied, the race for the Second Congressional District wasn’t called even though Goodlander was ahead 55 to 45 percent at 11 p.m. It was an open seat left vacant when Democrat Annie Kuster decided against running again.
Goodlander said the numbers looked good to her and she wanted to thank her family and supporters although Tang Williams hasn’t conceded.
“Our state has so much to be proud of. We are unique in so many ways,” Goodlander said.
Former Gov. John Lynch spoke about family member including himself and his wife voting for Goodlander.
“Maggie Goodlander you are going to Congress,” Lynch said adding she will be great for the state and the country.
She first thanked her mother Betty Tamposi and other well-known family members.
She thanked her husband National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
“You are the love of my life,” she told him.
Goodlander promised her constituents that she would fight for them whether they voted for her or not.
