CONCORD-State Rep. Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) said his defeat to become House Republican leader is "the way it goes."

Chandler lost to state Rep. Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry) by a mere 3 votes.

"It's the way it goes," Chandler told PolitickerNH.com. "I obviously want to thank all the people who supported me on the first, second, third ballot but it just wasn't enough."

Chandler also thanked state Rep. Fran Wendelboe (R-New Hampton) for supporting his bid. Wendelboe abandoned her own bid to support Chandler.

"It hasn't been a bad year, I still got my deer," Chandler said about his hunting season.

When asked what his future is within the caucus Chandler said, "we'll see what Sherman says. I obviously want to help the party and the caucus in any way but if I'm not asked that's ok I'll have more time to ski."