Secretary of State Bill Gardner wins 22nd term in office on second vote

Speculation about the political demise of New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner was turned on its head Wednesday as the 42-year incumbent pulled off a narrow but thrilling re-election victory, winning a 22nd term in office."I was the underdog in this race from the beginning," he said.>> NH Primary Source: Hour-by-hour – the Bill Gardner era continuesIn a stunning development on the first ballot, Gardner came out ahead, 208 to 207, but it wasn't enough.The winner needed to have 209 votes -- at least one vote more than 50 percent of the assembled House and Senate.But Gardner met the threshold on a second ballot, winning 209 to 205.After his win, Gardner entered the House to cheers and briefly addressed the Legislature."I welcome any ideas, even modern ideas," Gardner said, soliciting laughter.Gardner's opponent, Colin Van Ostern, was in the gallery for Gardner's speech.He later came to the office to congratulate Gardner in person."I'm really proud that we put a spotlight on issues around protecting voting rights, supporting local officials, trying to modernize an office that -- I was glad to hear Secretary Gardner admit (Wednesday) -- really does need it," Van Ostern said.Change may come, but for now, one thing will remain as it has been since 1976: Gardner will be secretary for state.

Speculation about the political demise of New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner was turned on its head Wednesday as the 42-year incumbent pulled off a narrow but thrilling re-election victory, winning a 22nd term in office.

"I was the underdog in this race from the beginning," he said.

>> NH Primary Source: Hour-by-hour – the Bill Gardner era continues

In a stunning development on the first ballot, Gardner came out ahead, 208 to 207, but it wasn't enough.

The winner needed to have 209 votes -- at least one vote more than 50 percent of the assembled House and Senate.

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But Gardner met the threshold on a second ballot, winning 209 to 205.

After his win, Gardner entered the House to cheers and briefly addressed the Legislature.

"I welcome any ideas, even modern ideas," Gardner said, soliciting laughter.

Gardner's opponent, Colin Van Ostern, was in the gallery for Gardner's speech.

He later came to the office to congratulate Gardner in person.

"I'm really proud that we put a spotlight on issues around protecting voting rights, supporting local officials, trying to modernize an office that -- I was glad to hear Secretary Gardner admit (Wednesday) -- really does need it," Van Ostern said.

Change may come, but for now, one thing will remain as it has been since 1976: Gardner will be secretary for state.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.