At last: Ayotte declared the winner in New Hampshire

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The slow-as-molasses-in winter ballot count has finally progressed to the point where New Hampshire's secretary of state has certified Kelly Ayotte as the winner of the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press:

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 5 p.m. to decide whether he'll seek a recount because the margin of victory fell within 1.5 percent of the total votes cast.

The official margin of victory for Ayotte, who had Sarah Palin's endorsement, was 1,667 votes. The Union Leader reports that Ayotte received 53,044 votes to Lamontagne's 51,377.

Now the former state Attorney general will face U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Update: There will be no recount. Ovide Lamontagne has graciously conceded.

- JP