MANCHESTER, N.H. -- More than 300 of Marco Rubio's supporters filled the ballroom at the Radisson Hotel here as Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders were announced the winners of New Hampshire's primary Tuesday night.
Marco Rubio supporters watch New Hampshire returns
As guests stood around, some with drinks in their hands, their expectations for Rubio did not match reality when he finished well behind. Still, many of Rubio's supporters said they believe he is the Republican Party's only chance to win the general election.
From groups of women to veterans in baseball caps, Rubio's supporters mingled, watching the live news coverage as the primary results rolled in. "There will likely be a surprise tonight in terms of who makes it to the top three on the Republican side," local resident Chad Carpenter said before the results came in.
Addressing his finish, Rubio told supporters, "I'm disappointed with tonight. I want you to understand something: Our disappointment isn't on you, it's on me. I did not do well on Saturday night and that will never happen again.
"Let me tell you why: It's not about me, it's not about this campaign, it's about this election and what's at stake in this election."
Supporters from Miami at New Hampshire polls
His speech capped a day in which supporters sought to sway last-minute undecided voters.
Two Miami residents held Rubio signs outside the polling center at Concord High School. "We're freezing for the future!" Joy Jansen said as she reminded incoming voters of Rubio's qualifications for being the next president. "Trump is great, but Rubio is the only one who can beat Hillary Clinton! We need to take back the White House."
Carpenter and his teenage son, Troy, stood at a corner table among the enthusiastic attendees. Troy, 17, said he has supported Rubio since the beginning and he's excited to vote for him, as he will be old enough to vote in the general election this year. Carpenter, however, said he became a Rubio supporter just one month ago.
"I like that he doesn't waste his message knocking down other candidates. Also, he has a more viable chance of getting elected than the other Republican candidates."
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's supporters await primary results
In the ballroom Tuesday evening, the crowd had no audible reaction when Fox News declared Trump and Sanders the winners. One woman said to her three friends, "This means Trump or Sanders will be the next president of the United States. That's frightening."
Despite Rubio's finish, supporters held onto the "Marco-mentum" as they cheered whenever Fox News showed live interviews of residents around New Hampshire saying they voted for Rubio.
Carpenter explained Rubio's sixth-place finish with his mediocre performance at the recent GOP debate where he was criticized for being too scripted.
"A lot of people are turned off by establishment candidates, so when he repeated himself three or four times at the debate people didn't like that he seemed like a scripted politician," Carpenter said.
Despite strong support for Rubio, many people at his primary party said they don't think he would be a revolutionary president.
"I don't think of the word 'revolutionary' when I think of Marco Rubio; I think of someone who will get things done and create a better future for America," local resident Peter Schoer said as Sanders's victory speech played on the screen in the background.
Although Carpenter agreed with Schoer, noting he was unsure if Rubio would be a revolutionary president, his son Troy felt differently.
"He could be revolutionary because maybe with the youth he could connect with everyone," Troy said.
