Hassan Delcares Victory With Razor-Thin Edge in U.S. Senate Race in N.H.

N.H. Gov. and U.S. Sen-elect Maggie Hassan

N.H. Gov. Maggie Hassan, the apparent U.S. Senator-Elect from the state of New Hampshire

The Democratic candidate in New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race, Gov. Maggie Hassan, is declaring victory in the neck and neck, unofficial vote count against incumbent Republican Kelly Ayotte.

At a news conference late Wednesday morning, Hassan indicated with as much as 99 percent of precincts reporting, she holds a minimum 600 vote lead over Ayotte.

“This morning, there are only a few small towns left outstanding and I hope these remaining votes are quickly recorded. When they are, we are confident that our margins are large enough that we will maintain our lead. I am proud to stand here as the next United States senator from New Hampshire,” Hassan said.

Hassan added she has not yet spoken with Ayotte and did not comment on whether she would expect the possibility of a recount. She also said it will be her job to make the best decisions for New Hampshire working with President-elect Donald J. Trump, and to “stand up to him when it isn’t” in the state’s best interests.

Hassan also congratulated her successor in Concord, Republican Gov.-elect Chris Sununu, who also received a concession this morning from his Democrat challenger Colin Van Ostern.

“I spoke to him this morning and pledged to do everything I can to ensure a smooth and successful transition,” Hassan said of Sununu.

“While I am disappointed in the results of the election, I respect the will of New Hampshire voters and I wish Chris Sununu congratulations,” Van Ostern said in a statement. “I am honored and humbled by the hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire citizens who have supported our effort and I know that our state will move forward as one, to build a brighter future together.

While statewide a slim margin overnight locked Hassan and Ayotte at 48 percent of the vote each, voters in the Southern New Hampshire communities bordering Haverhill, incluidng Plaistow, Atkinson and Sandown, cast the majority of their ballots for Republicans up and down the ballot, including Ayotte. Atkinson Town Clerk Rose Cavalear reported the highest turnout in the region, at 76.1 percent.