Throughout the night, the lead in the gubernatorial race shifted back and forth between incumbent Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington.
With 56% of the votes counted around 10:15 p.m., Ayotte held a 9,315-vote lead over Warmington.
Spirits were high in Manchester, as Warmington urged supporters to be patient while votes were counted.
“Every single vote matters. Every Granite Stater deserves to be heard,” Warmington said. “That’s the beauty of our sometimes slow democratic process.”
Democrats were relying on widespread voter frustration with Republicans and shifts in the national political climate to propel Warmington to victory. Warmington, a former member of the Executive Council, ran unopposed in the primary.
For Cathy Martone, from Concord, Warmington is her pick.
“I feel like I want somebody who’s just looking at the world in the way that I look at it,” Martone said. “I listened to the debate, I watched the debate, I did both, and I thought her answers were just so meaningful. I just think she’s looking out for the little guy.”
In her first term, Ayotte focused on boosting retirement benefits for law enforcement and lifting regulations to spur development. She also directed funding to education and mental health. She has largely steered clear of publicly criticizing Trump, usually raising issues with the White House privately and acknowledging them only after they’re resolved.
Many Republican voters anticipated a smooth and easy re-election for Ayotte, but the counts don’t reflect that thus far.
At Ayotte’s election night party in Salem, longtime supporter Roy Abirached said he believes the current governor is the best fit for the Granite State. He appreciates her support for small businesses.
“No matter which side of the aisle you’re on, I’m looking to see who would best benefit the state,” he said. “That’s how I made my decision.”
Despite Democratic enthusiasm across the board, many have seen Warmington as her party’s old guard at a moment when Democrats nationwide are demanding fresh faces.
Her background also drew fire. Warmington, who has spent her career in the health care industry, was attacked over her past lobbying for the opioid industry, including work promoting OxyContin.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
