(AP)
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New Hampshire has certified former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte as the winner of the Republican primary for US Senate. Ayotte was endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and won a narrow victory over Ovide Lamontagne. His conservative credentials and courting of the Tea Party pulled him close in the final days of the campaign.
Lamontagne has until 5pm to decide whether he'll seek a recount because the margin of victory fell within 1.5% of the total votes cast. The secretary of state's office says Ayotte's official margin of victory was 1,667 votes. Ayotte is set to face US Rep. Paul Hodes, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
