Vulnerable GOP senator: ‘Trump needs to accept the outcome’ of election

Donald Trump needs to accept the outcome of the presidential election regardless of who wins, vulnerable Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) said Thursday. 

{mosads}“The voters are going to decide this election, and Donald Trump needs to accept the outcome. If there are reports that need to be investigated, they will be, as I used to do as Attorney General,” Ayotte told New Hampshire 1.

Trump, the Republican nominee, stunned viewers during Wednesday’s presidential debate when he said he may not accept the outcome of November’s election. He then doubled down at his first post-debate rally Thursday, saying he’ll accept the results — as long as he wins. 

Republican leaders and lawmakers have chastised Trump for his remarks, calling his allegations of voter fraud irresponsible. 

Ayotte’s Democratic challenger, Gov. Maggie Hassan, has accused the senator of only standing up to Trump when it is politically convenient. 

“Last night, Donald Trump threatened to undermine the very core of our democracy by saying he may not accept the outcome of this election, and instead of outright condemning his actions, Senator Ayotte continued to enable Trump by offering a statement that again tries to play both sides for her own political benefit,” Hassan said in a statement.

“Despite her political maneuvering intended only to save her own re-election, Senator Ayotte must take responsibility for the fact that she has legitimized Trump’s campaign by for months supporting him for president.”

Ayotte’s reelection race is considered a toss-up, with the RealClearPolitics polling average showing her ahead by less than 2 points as Republicans look to maintain control of the Senate come November.

While Ayotte never formally endorsed Trump, she said she would vote for him. She dropped her support for the GOP nominee earlier this month, after a video from 2005 emerged of Trump bragging about kissing and groping women without their consent.