Romney, Hassan Win Merrimack

It probably comes as little surprise that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan garnered a win in Merrimack.

Merrimack, known for being a very conservative community, has elected the Republican nominee in the three elections prior to this.

In 2008, Merrimack picked John McCain and Sarah Palin over winners Barack Obama and Joe Biden, but only by 242 votes. McCain/Palin earned 7,558 votes to Obama/Biden's 7,316.

In 2004, Merrimack voted in line with the country to re-elect George W. Bush and Dick Cheney to four more years. The Republican duo beat John Kerry and John Edwards 7,927 to 6,682 – a difference of 1,245 votes.

In 2000, Merrimack favored the Bush/Cheney ticket over the Al Gore and Joe Lieberman ticket by  vote of 6,239 to 5,571 a difference of 668 votes.

Tonight's win Romney/Ryan pushed past Obama/Biden with 7,678 votes to 6,797. However, the way results are coming in, Obama/Biden have been declared the winners in New Hampshire. Libertarian candidates Gary Johnson and James Gray received 195 votes, while Virgil Goode and James Clymer, of the Constitution Party took just 6.

However, there was audible surprise in the Merrimack High School cafeteria when Moderator Lynn Christensen announced that Democrat Maggie Hassan overtook Ovide Lamontagne, R-Manchester, in the race for New Hampshire governor. Hassan will succeed Democratic Governor John Lynch after four terms. Hassan beat Lamontagne 7,167 to 6,869. Libertarian candidate John J. Babiarz earned 359 votes.

For U.S. Representative, sitting Rep. Frank Guinta, R-Manchester slid past Carol Shea-Porter, D-Rochester 7,113 to 6,479. As of 11 p.m., that race is still in a dead heat in the First Congressional District.

On the town side of things, seven Republican candidates were elected to Concord while Democratic candidate Brenda Grady (5,676) ousted Joe Thomas (5,540) from his seat. Incumbent Republicans Dick Barry (6,594), Dick Hinch (6,693), Jeanine Notter (6,173), Tony Pellegrino (6,787), Lenette Peterson (6,041) and Kathleen Stroud (6,308) retained their seats in the House  and will be joined by newcomer Phil Straight (5,841).

See our full election chart for the rest of Merrimack's results.