In the three-way state senate race in district 12, political newcomer Peggy Gilmour (D-Hollis) was able to beat Paul LaFlamme (R-Nashua) and Betty Hall (D-Hollis) in a close election.

With 86 percent of precincts reporting, Gilmour beat LaFlamme by 658 votes.

"I think I was able to get people to see that I was a very good choice, that I was a sensible person who could make good decisions," Gilmour said. "I think that I was certainly helped by fact that many people wanted a Democratic majority or Democrats in power."

LaFlamme said he was "disappointed" by the election results but said he has "tremendous respect" for his opponents.

"I was a little disappointed," LaFlamme said. "I thought we did everything we needed to too come out ahead but that obviously that wasn't the case, even though it was very close at the end of the day."