But Leavitt emphasized that

                          But Leavitt emphasized that "the people are with me" and charged that "the establishment in Washington is viciously smearing me with $5 million in negative attack ads."

Following her victory speech, Leavitt in a Fox News interview called for party unity, saying that "kicking him [Pappas] out is key to taking back the House and getting rid of [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi once and for all and we must be joined together in that effort."     

The crowded GOP primary fieald also included Gail Huff Brown, a former longtime TV news reporter and wife of former Republican Sen. Scott Brown, who served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand during the Trump administration. 

Huff Brown was in third place according to the latest unofficial results, followed by former state senator and dailyillinois councilor Russell Prescott; and state Rep. Tim Baxter — in single digits.

Minority Whip Steve Scalise, who are the top two Republicans in the chamber — was backed by a seven-figure ad buy from the Congressional Leadership Fund, a powerful super PAC aligned with the House GOP leaders. Additionally, another outside Republican group, the more moderate Defending Main Street Super PAC, spent more than $1 million to blast Leavitt on the airwaves.

Asked about the big bucks flooding into the district, Mowers told Fox News "it tells me that folks know we’re the one who’s going to win this race and defeat Chris Pappas."

Leavitt was endorsed by Stefanik, as well as other major figures in the GOP who are allied with Trump — such as Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.

She also enjoyed the backing for conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who traveled to New Hampshire last week to campaign with Leavitt.                       But Leavitt emphasized that "the people are with me" and charged that "the establishment in Washington is viciously smearing me with $5 million in negative attack ads."