The former chairman of the state Republican Party told members of the East Tennessee Republican Club on Monday that while some ballots cast in the Novemberâs presidential election âwere not quite right,â he does not think widespread fraud is the reason Donald Tump lost his re-election bid by 7 million votes. âIt was a tough night,â Saltsman told local Republicans meeting at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City. â I hate to say this, but we lost fair and square.â The longtime Republican strategist said he doesnât think it was rigged voting machines or other irregularities on Election Day that cost Trump the win, but a âsystem set in placeâ that allowed Democrats to continue counting absentee ballots after the polls had closed.