Hillsborough County Commissioner Carol Holden (R-Amherst) was able to hold off a primary challenge from state Rep. Pam Manney (R-Goffstown).

Holden defeated Manney 4,160 votes to 2,324 votes.

"I'm just pleased to be able to continue to represent the people of District 3 and they have the confidence of sending me back," Holden told PolitickerNH.com.

Manney said she was proud of her campaign and "pleased" with the results.

"I think considering I had no connection in the towns, I was pleased with the results for the first time around," Manney said. "Congratulations to my opponent, not that she necessarily ran a clean campaign because she didn't. She's got the general election to go through where I think the Democrats aren't going to be as nice as I was when it comes to issues facing the county."

Manney also left the door open for a possible run in 2010.

"I'll be back," Manney said. "I'll be back in 2010, wiser and stronger."