Bolduc accepts defeat to Hassan

Maggie Hassan will serve another term in Washington.

Shortly after 11 p.m., retired Army General Don Bolduc, standing alongside his wife Sharon, addressed a slim crowd in Manchester, conceding the race to the Democrat incumbent.

“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to represent the Republican Party in the U.S. Senate race here in New Hampshire,” he said before directing his focus back on Hassan. “This is not a loss. We woke a lot of people up hopefully we put her on notice. And hopefully, she will do the right thing for Granite Staters.”

Across the city, Hassan addressed a cheering throng of supporters.

“I promise you, Democrats, independents and Republicans, the people who voted for me and those who did not, that I will keep working every day to serve you faithfully, to listen to you and to work with you to address the challenges facing your families, our state and our country,” Hassan said.

The seat may prove pivotal in the fight to control the U.S. Senate. 

Bolduc began the night with a confident speech – telling a large crowd that they would see a victory in the late hours of the night.

“We are definitely going to prevail,” he said around 9 p.m.

Bolduc left supporters with a live performance – singing John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads – before exiting the stage as results filtered in.

Two hours later, he was back at the podium with the speech he hoped he wouldn’t have had to give.

“Apparently the experts have called it,” he said. “Maggie Hassan has won.”

He noted he’s not one for tradition, as he did not call Hassan to concede prior to addressing his supporters. But he made it clear that despite her victory, his supporters should be proud of the message they spread across the state.

A staple of Bolduc’s campaign was his town hall-style conversations across the state. He held 83 in total, with the last one in Exeter on the eve of the election.

“We have done something here in the state of New Hampshire. We have created a rumble. We have created the idea that the government should not tread on its people,” he said. “If we can do this, even in losing, we will win.”