Republican Ayotte concedes NH Senate race to Hassan

Sen. Kelly Ayotte on Wednesday afternoon conceded the New Hampshire Senate race after a nail biter that came down to just over 1,000 votes.

{mosads}The New Hampshire Republican said she called to congratulate Gov. Maggie Hassan (D), who bested her by 1,023 votes, according to the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website.

Hassan had already declared victory on Wednesday morning.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve New Hampshire in the Senate and to make progress on addressing our heroin epidemic, making it easier for our small businesses to create good paying jobs, and supporting those who keep us safe in a dangerous world,” Ayotte said in a statement.

“The voters have spoken and now it’s time all of us to come together to get things done for the people of the Greatest State in this Nation and for the Greatest Country on Earth.” 

Hassan’s campaign sent a statement shortly after Ayotte conceded, thanking the GOP senator for a “hard-fought campaign” and for her service in the Granite State.

New Hampshire had been eyed by Democrats as a prime Senate pickup — President Obama won the state in both 2008 and 2012.

Ayotte first joined the Senate in 2010, winning retiring Republican Judd Gregg’s seat as part of the Tea Party wave that gave the GOP control of the House and cut into the Democrats’ advantage in the Senate.

Even with New Hampshire as a pickup for Senate Democrats, Republicans preserved their majority in the upper chamber.

Democrats only netted two seats, including Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s win in Illinois, where she unseated Sen. Mark Kirk (R). They also maintained control of Nevada with former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (D) becoming the first Latina senator in U.S. history.

— Cate Martel contributed.