In a compelling turn of events, former GOP Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire has stepped up to the plate announcing her intention to run for governor. This announcement arrives right on the heels of Governor Chris Sununu’s decision to step down, thereby leaving the field open for a potential new conservative champion.
Sununu, who had a notable tenure since his first election in 2016, recently confirmed that he will not be running for a fifth term. This announcement has stirred a buzz within political circles and in the public domain.
Following this, Ayotte, with a track record of service as a senator, shared her vision for the governorship with Fox News. The core of her gubernatorial agenda lies in enhancing public safety, particularly by enforcing harsher penalties on fentanyl dealers, aiming to mitigate the disturbingly high overdose death rates.
Furthermore, Ayotte is dedicated to preserving the distinct character of New Hampshire, drawing a clear line between her state and its neighbors like Massachusetts, where she believes citizens endure “less freedom” due to income and sales taxes.
Ayotte shared, “Gov. Sununu did a great job, but there is going to be a vacuum there, and we are one election away from becoming Massachusetts in New Hampshire, and I’m not going to let that happen.”
Ayotte’s declaration reflects her commitment to sustaining New Hampshire’s unique characteristics — no income tax, no sales tax, and the treasured freedom of education.
“So I’m running for governor to make sure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free,” she confidently stated.
Prior to her tenure in the Senate, Ayotte effectively functioned as New Hampshire’s attorney general from 2004 to 2009, as per Ballotpedia. In 2010, she cruised to a resounding victory in the Senate, winning by over 20 points. However, in a close-run contest, she narrowly lost her bid for a second term in 2016 to former Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
The race for the governorship is heating up, as Ayotte will compete against former state Sen. Chuck Morse in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary boasts contenders such as Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Council member Cinde Warmington.
It’s worth noting that New Hampshire is one of only two states that vote for their governor every two years. The coming months will indeed be riveting as we witness the unfolding of this exciting gubernatorial race.
