Republican Gov.-Elect Kelly Ayotte celebrates with her family and supporters on Election Night at the Artisan Hotel in Salem. Courtesy photo by Jeffrey Hastings

Republican Kelly Ayotte emerged as New Hampshire’s governor-elect late in the evening of Nov. 5 following a tenacious gubernatorial race which was the tightest in the nation for several weeks.

The Associated Press called the race at 10:34 p.m. with Ayotte garnering 53 percent of the vote while her opponent, Democrat Joyce Craig, received 44 percent.

“Tonight’s victory is a victory for an even brighter future for the greatest state in the nation,” Ayotte said during her speech at the Artisan Hotel in Salem.

Looking ahead, she said she intends to capitalize on the work of outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu, who chose not to seek reelection.

As governor, Ayotte said her initial priorities will include affordable housing, mental health and education.

“There are very real challenges that we need to work together on to keep our state moving in the right direction,” she said. “I will always look for ways for us to come together and work together on a bipartisan basis.”

Brandon Zaher of Manchester said Ayotte “represents what New Hampshire is looking for.”

“You don’t want to feel the government in your everyday life,” he said.

Newport resident Kyle Dilger said he was always confident that Ayotte would pull out the win.

“Kelly is the one for the job, 100 percent,” he said.

After conceding the election to Ayotte, Craig addressed her supporters at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant in Manchester.

“I’m proud of our campaign and the issues we focused on,” she said. “I’m proud of the race we ran.”

In the race for the Second Congressional District, Democrat Maggie Goodlander captured 53 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Lily Tang Williams, who received 46 percent.

“Thank you to the people of New Hampshire’s Second District,” Goodlander said during her watch party at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage Lounge in Concord. “Whether you voted for me or not, I will work for you in the People’s House and fight for you with everything I’ve got. It is the honor of my lifetime to be elected to represent the district that made me who I am.”

Outgoing Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) said she is thrilled to pass the torch to Goodlander.

“This is a huge win for the people of New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District,” she said. “In Maggie, they have elected an experienced public servant to represent them in Congress. Maggie knows that there are big challenges and opportunities facing New Hampshire and I know she will work tirelessly to improve the lives of all Granite Staters and move our district, state and country forward.”

Tang Williams thanked her supporters for working to “keep the American Dream alive.”

“I am grateful for the outpouring of support, especially in the last few weeks,” she said. “I remain committed to fighting for a better future for our nation and will continue to be a voice for holding our government accountable and demanding transparency and truth from our elected officials. America is a beacon of hope around the world because of the opportunity and freedoms it offers. We are all blessed to be Americans.”

In the race for the First Congressional District, incumbent Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) held off Republican challenger Russell Prescott. The final tally showed Pappas with 54 percent of the vote and Prescott with 45 percent.

“This was truly a grassroots campaign,” said Pappas, adding that during the past six years, sizable investments have been made in healthcare and reducing carbon emissions.

“We took a big step forward in addressing climate change,” he said. “In New Hampshire, we don’t shy away from tough fights.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said she looks forward to having Pappas in Congress for another two years.

“Chris Pappas is a common sense leader who has always put the needs of Granite State families first, which is exactly why New Hampshire voters chose him to continue representing them in Washington,” she said. “Chris has a record of getting things done, whether it’s standing up for veterans, local law enforcement, working families or women’s reproductive freedom.”

Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, congratulated Pappas and Goodlander on their victories.

“Last night, we sent Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander to Congress,” he said. “Over the days, weeks and months to follow, we will get right back to work for the people of New Hampshire. I want to thank our candidates for stepping into the arena. I want to urge you all to stay in the fight – we need you.”

Dee Duncan, president of the Republican State Leadership Committee, said the New Hampshire GOP was able to avoid a Democratic sweep “despite national outside liberal groups pouring millions into the state this cycle in an attempt to change the political landscape in Concord.”

“While national groups like the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee targeted New Hampshire to flip legislative chambers, Granite State voters rewarded state Republicans accordingly,” he said. “The RSLC was proud to invest in state legislative races this cycle and we look forward to New Hampshire Republicans continuing to fight daily for Granite State families.”

Although Vice President Kamala Harris was able to secure New Hampshire’s four electoral votes, she ultimately came up short on the national level, losing to Republican Donald Trump 226 to 295 in the Electoral College.

Although not surprised by the outcome in New Hampshire, Di Lothrop, Nashua city captain for the New Hampshire Trump campaign, said she was still proud of Trump and his campaign staff.

“With the landslide win for President Trump, we now enter the golden age for all American citizens with a prosperous and safe future,” she said. “This victory for Trump means no more open borders and no more inflationary economics.”

During Trump’s New Hampshire watch party at Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester, Lois DeYoung of Brentwood said the country is in “terrible condition,” adding that President Joe Biden has been afflicted by dementia throughout his four years in the White House.

She also called attention to the many Americans living off credit cards.

“We have the highest credit card debt in the history of this nation,” said DeYoung. “Common sense has gone out the window.”

Devon Chaffee, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, said his organization will continue to be a “fearless defender of our constitutional freedoms.”

“We know that a second Trump Administration represents a clear and present danger to our country’s democratic processes and institutions. It represents unspeakably cruel proposals on some of the civil rights we hold most dear,” said Chaffee. “But together, we are stronger and we are ready. The ACLU has a roadmap to defend our rights beginning on Inauguration Day and we are ready to take action.”

On the local level, Nashua Ward 9 Alderman John Sullivan said there were “no reports of trouble” despite a turnout of 42,332 voters.

“Nashua did an amazing job at the polls,” he said. “In Ward 9, while the lines were long, voters were moved through very smoothly. Hats off to all of the poll workers who put in long hours and got it right.”

Alderman-at-Large Melbourne Moran said residents must focus on the future rather than continued division.

“The American people have spoken, President-elect Trump is the direction our country wants to go and we have to respect the outcome of a free and fair election,” he said. “For Nashua officials, I hope this is a wake up call on how everyday people are struggling and voted with their wallets in mind. We can’t keep spending the way we are at the determinant of shifting the cost to the working class.”