Horn Defeats Clegg For 2nd District Nomination

Horn Defeats Clegg For 2nd District Nomination

CONCORD, N.H. -- Jennifer Horn defeated State Sen. Bob Clegg and three other candidates in a tight race for the Republican nomination for the 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.

With 86 percent of districts reporting, Horn led Clegg, 40 to 34 percent. Jim Steiner was third with 14 percent, followed by Grant Bosse with 9 percent and Alfred L'Eplattenier with 2 percent.

"We're very excited, obviously," Horn said. "There are still more votes to be counted; there are still more to come in. Every vote does matter, but we've been watching it closely, each update, and we're excited at what we're seeing."

Clegg said he was also keeping a close eye on the results.

"Well, it's tight, but we ran a good race," Clegg said. "I have the best campaign staff in the world. People voted based on what I said, and I spoke from the heart."

Bosse conceded the race shortly after 9 p.m. He said that he enjoyed the campaign.

"Driving on the back roads, visiting the country stores, stopping to shake hands and knocking on doors in neighborhoods, you really meet a lot of people, you make a lot of friends and I've really enjoyed the experience," Bosse said.

Horn is a former columnist for the Sunday edition of The Telegraph and also hosted her own daily radio talk show. She has pitched herself as a fiscal conservative who would fight against earmarks.

Clegg has served in the Legislature for 14 years and has said he has the experience to work for the people of New Hampshire.

Steiner, a veteran, vowed not to take any special-interest or PAC money during the campaign.

"I refused to spend money that I did not have," Steiner said. "I stayed within my budget, and that's what I think every congressman needs to do. I stayed on a positive message."

Horn will face Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes in the general election in November.