New Hampshire pols wish Kennedy well

Sen. Ted Kennedy: Getty Images PhotoDays after U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) suffered a seizure, doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have diagnosed the 76 year-old Democrat with a malignant brain tumor. New Hampshire's political community is expressing its support for the stricken senator.

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Jeanne Shaheen expressed her sadness and support for the Massachusetts senator and those closest to him.

"Senator Kennedy has always been a courageous fighter and I know he will tackle this challenge with the same determination and resiliency that he has always shown" Shaheen said in a statement. "My thoughts are with Senator Kennedy and his family."

She recalled Kennedy's work on health care reform, education, the environment, and civil rights, saying it "should serve as an example for us all."

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley said in a separate statement, "All NH Democrats join together in sending our support and affection to Senator Kennedy and his family during the difficult challenge ahead."

Buckley hailed Kennedy as "the greatest U.S. Senator to serve in the past century" and noted that his "voice, strength, and compassion have made a difference for people across the nation and the world."

The state's two Republican senators also offered words of support from across the aisle.

"I think everyone in the Senate has really been stunned by this news," a statement from U.S. Sen. John Sununu said. "It doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, everyone in the Senate is just hoping that Ted can beat this thing and get back to the Senate as soon as possible."

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg said, "I've served with him now for many years--sometimes he's been Chairman of the Committee and I've been Ranking Member, and sometimes he's been Ranking Member and I've been Chairman."

Gregg expressed hope for Kennedy's future: "One thing about Ted Kennedy is that he's a real fighter. I know he will be strong and aggressive in the face of his cancer diagnosis. We all respect him, and we admire him, especially his grit and his determination."