Nov. 5, 2002 -- U.S. Rep. John Sununu is the projected winner of the New Hampshire Senate race, according to wire and news reports. Sununu, a three-term congressman, defeated three-term Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen in a closely fought race after winning the GOP nomination from incumbent Republican Bob Smith in a highly publicized primary battle.

Sununu's win is a key victory for the Republican camp as they retain the New Hampshire seat and further their bid to wrest political control of the Senate from a slim Democratic majority.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters as news networks and wire services called the race in his favor, Sununu told the voters of New Hampshire, "This is your victory."

"We were outspent in this election but we weren't outworked," Sununu said.

Shaheen conceded the race to Sununu in a speech to her supporters at about 10:30 p.m. It is her first loss after six successful campaigns for both state legislative and gubernatorial positions.

"This election is over, but important battles remain," Shaheen said. "To get our economy moving again, to ensure our seniors a secure retirement, our children a clean environment, to improve access to health care and lower the cost of prescription drugs, to protect a women's right to choose."

Sununu's defeat of Smith in the primary proved at times to be more of a hindrance than a battle call for the Republican, with disgruntled Smith supporters threatening to write in their candidate instead of backing Sununu, a move Smith refused to publicly discourage.

Polls seesawed over the course of the contest and recent numbers had been no exception, with slight leads predicted for both Shaheen and Sununu. The constantly shifting numbers made the race too close to call for most political observers.

The candidates publicly battled on a number of partisan issues such as Social Security and taxes while competing to reach out to the moderate voters of state by pledging to break with their parties when necessary -- an appeal to the 38 percent of New Hampshire voters registered as independent.

Sununu pushed Shaheen to defend her record as governor, including her long-running difficulties in reaching a compromise with state legislators over education funding and property taxes in the state.

Both candidates launched aggressive media campaigns and doled out massive sums of money in their bids. As of Oct. 16, Shaheen had spent some $3.7 million in her campaign while Sununu spent almost $2.5 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.