Republican former Sen. Kelly Ayotte will win the New Hampshire governor’s race, CNN projects, completing a political comeback eight years after she lost her Senate seat. Ayotte defeated Democratic former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig in the race to replace outgoing GOP Gov.

Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte was elected governor of New Hampshire on Tuesday, defeating Democratic former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig to keep the office under Republican control for another two years.

Ms. Ayotte entered the race with greater name recognition than the Democrat, Joyce Craig, and was seen as a natural successor to Gov. Chris Sununu, a moderate Republican.