In the final debate between Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democrat Joyce Craig, the former President Donald Trump emerged as a controversial topic, particularly concerning Ayotte’s past and current support for him. During her tenure as a U.S. senator in 2016, Ayotte initially indicated her support for Trump as the GOP’s presidential nominee; however, she stopped short of endorsing him. Following the revelation of Trump’s inappropriate remarks about women captured on video, she retracted her support and opted to write in Mike Pence instead. Fast forward to the current election cycle, and her backing for Trump has reportedly remained “unwavering,” as highlighted by WMUR-TV debate panelist Steve Bottari.
Addressing her stance on Trump’s legal troubles, Bottari questioned Ayotte, asking whether his criminal convictions matter to her. Ayotte responded by noting the context of the election, emphasizing her belief that the nation was in a better position during Trump’s presidency in terms of safety and costs. As she avoided direct commentary on Trump’s convictions, Craig utilized her opportunity to pivot back to the issue, probing Ayotte on where she draws the ethical line on Trump’s actions, ranging from allegations of sexual assault to attempts at undermining democracy. She accused Ayotte of lacking a principled stance in this regard.
In response to Craig’s accusations, Ayotte redirected the conversation, asking who would genuinely advocate for New Hampshire irrespective of party lines. She pointed to her own record as one of bipartisanship in the Senate, claiming she has consistently made decisions in the best interest of New Hampshire residents. Furthermore, she criticized Craig for aligning herself with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, suggesting that her association with a Massachusetts leader reflected a prioritization of party ideals over New Hampshire’s own needs, which she characterized as promoting “higher taxes and less freedom.”
Craig defended her ties to Healey by stating her commitment to collaborating with other governors from neighboring states to address crucial issues, such as energy policy. The debate intensified as both candidates occasionally spoke over one another, with Ayotte asserting her willingness to challenge her party, while Craig stood firm on her position that Trump is unfit to hold the presidency due to his criminal conduct.
The stakes are high in this race, as Ayotte and Craig are competing to become the third woman to lead New Hampshire as governor, with the position being vacated by Republican Chris Sununu, who has chosen not to pursue a fifth consecutive term. Their contrasting views on Trump and party loyalty have become focal points in this critical race, reflecting broader debates about leadership, ethics, and state governance.