The Latest: Edelblut, Sununu go after Van Ostern

CONCORD, N.H. – The Latest on the New Hampshire primary races (all times local):

9:50 a.m.

The New Hampshire Republican primary race for governor hasn’t been called, but both contenders are already going after their Democratic rival.

Frank Edelblut and Chris Sununu are speaking at the state Republican party’s unity breakfast. Both say it will be important to unite one the results are in to take on Democrat Colin Van Ostern.

Edelblut says Van Ostern is a “poser.” And Sununu says he is a “rubber stamp” for Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan’s agenda.

Van Ostern and Sununu serve together on the Executive Council, a five-member body that approves gubernatorial appointments and large state contracts. Edelblut is a first-term state representative.

___

8:47 a.m.

New Hampshire Republicans are gathering for their traditional “unity breakfast,” though in two top races, it’s unclear who they’re uniting behind.

In the governor’s race, the Republican contest remains tight between Executive Councilor Chris Sununu and state Rep. Frank Edelblut the morning after Tuesday’s primary. Both men, along with fellow candidates Ted Gatsas and Jeanie Forrester, were at Wednesday’s breakfast in Bedford.

Also in attendance were U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta and his primary challenger, Rich Ashooh. Their race remains close, though Ashooh conceded on Wednesday morning.

Guinta has struggled since last year, when the Federal Election Commission said he took illegal campaign donations from his parents. If he wins, he’ll face Democrat Carol Shea-Porter for a fourth time.

___

8 a.m.

Republican Rich Ashooh is conceding the 1st Congressional District race to incumbent Frank Guinta after the two were locked in a tight battle for the New Hampshire primary.

In a statement released Wednesday, Ashooh said a nearly 100-vote margin Tuesday night has now grown to several hundred as further returns have been counted. He says despite the close margin, he’s conceding “so that the Republican ticket may immediately position itself for victory in November.

Guinta had been struggling since last year, when the Federal Election Commission said he took illegal campaign donations from his parents. There was no immediate word from Guinta on Ashooh’s announcement.

Guinta, who is seeking a third, two-year term, will face Democratic challenger Carol Shea-Porter in November the fourth time they will battle for the seat.

___

7:15 a.m.

The counting will resume for two top races that remain too close to call in New Hampshire’s primaries.

In the governor’s race, the Republican contest remained a tight battle between Executive Councilor Chris Sununu and state Rep. Frank Edelblut. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, who was expected to place in the top two, and state Sen. Jeanie Forrester conceded defeat on Tuesday night.

It’s also a close race in the 1st Congressional District between Republican U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta and primary challenger, Rich Ashooh. Guinta has struggled since last year, when the Federal Election Commission said he took illegal campaign donations from his parents.

Republicans were meeting Wednesday in Bedford at their annual post-election Unity Breakfast.