After 14 hours and 370 votes, Democrat Pam Brown edged out Republican Elizabeth van Twuyver in the Ward 4 Special Election, held Feb. 19.

The final tally: Brown, 203; van Twuyver, 167.

A small crowd waited at Ledge Street Elementary School for election results, which came just before 8:30 p.m.

Brown was standing among them, fielding congratulations from her supporters including Democrat State Rep Mary Gorman from Ward 4 and Republican David Murotake from Ward 5.

"I was looking for Elizabeth. I think she went home, but I got to talk with her earlier today," said Brown. "We both love our community and are interested in being of service to our community. She's a very nice woman."

Brown said she was feeling a little "fried" after 14 hours at the polls, but also elated at the prospect of joining her colleagues in Concord.

"I may be getting started within a week or two – I'm not sure yet," Brown said. "Right now, I'm on my agenda is sleep, laundry and grocery shopping."

Brown said she was heading to San Francisco Kitchen for a victory gathering Tuesday night.

The election was planned after Stacie Laughton, who was elected to the post in November, resigned following a storm of controversy after she acknowledged  that she had served time for credit card fraud while living in Laconia under the name Barry Laughton.

Laughton also made headlines as the first openly transgendered person in U.S. hisory to be be elected to state office.

Shortly after the results were announced, official statements were released by both the state Democratic and Republican parties.

From State Democratic Chairman Ray Buckley:

"Pam Brown's victory tonight is yet another example of New Hampshire voters' rejection of the Republican Party and its Tea Party platform," said Buckley. "Just as in November, when voters turned out to elect Democrats in across the state, voters in Nashua have sent clear message that they want a responsible, moderate Democrat in Concord."

"Despite heavy campaigning by NHGOP Chair Jennifer Horn and US Senator Kelly Ayotte in their hometown, Nashua's voters soundly rejected the radical Republican agenda of attacking unions, women, students and seniors, in favor of a Democratic candidate who is a problem solver going to Concord to work with Governor Hassan to help move New Hampshire forward.

"I want to congratulate Representative-elect Brown on her victory, and I look forward to seeing her sworn in at the State House shortly."

And from the NH GOP:

“The NH Republican Party congratulates Elizabeth on running a principled campaign focused on the issues important to our neighbors throughout Ward 4.  We fully expected an uphill battle in this election, but we are committed to reaching out to every voter in every district across the state for the next two years talking about good governance based on responsible Republican principles.  The progress we made in Ward 4 since last November is a reflection that voters are quickly becoming disenchanted with the ‘spend, spend, spend’ agenda of Democrats in Concord.”