Democrat Maggie Hassan, the Most Bipartisan U.S. Senator Whose N.H. Seat Looked Vulnerable, Has Been Reelected

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan.Photo: Getty Images

Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan has retained her seat, with the Associated Press projecting she beats her Republican challenger, retired Army Gen. Don Bolduc.

Recent polls had suggested an unexpectedly close race, unnerving Democrats who need to keep at least 50 Senate seats to keep the majority. Instead, Hassan won handily, leading with 55% of the votes at the time the race was called.

First ladyJill Biden, Massachusetts Sen.Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Sen.Amy Klobucharand Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigiegall joined Hassan at recent events.

Bolduc’s rise was surprising to even some in his own party, particularly as the far-right candidate embraced a number of bizarre conspiracy theories in a state often noted for its moderate politics.

During an October debate with Hassan, Bolduc falsely claimed that school buses full of illegal, out-of-state voters werebeing ferried to New Hampshire. He also previously claimed that students in the heavily Republican town of Derry, N.H., were self-identifying as “furries and fuzzies” in classrooms, where he falsely said they were using litter boxes and licking themselves as if they were cats.

He continued: “And get this, get this. They’re putting litter boxes, right? … These are the same people that are concerned about spreading germs. Yet they let children lick themselves and then touch everything. And they’re starting to lick each other.”

source: people.com