CONCORD, N.H. — On Thursday, Kelly Ayotte made history by taking the oath of office as New Hampshire’s 83rd governor. In her inaugural address, she emphasized her commitment to unite the state’s residents, irrespective of their political affiliations, while also alerting them to potential budget reductions on the horizon.
“I aim to be a governor for every citizen, be they Republican, Democrat, or independent,” Ayotte expressed. “The interests of our state transcend any party line or ideological divide. Effective governance is nonpartisan, and we must demonstrate that amid the current intense partisanship, we can pursue a different path.”
Ayotte steps into the role following Chris Sununu, a fellow Republican who opted not to run for a fifth consecutive term, leading to one of the most fiercely contested gubernatorial races in the nation. In her bid for office, Ayotte aligned closely with Sununu’s economic strategies, focusing on anti-tax and pro-business policies. She claimed victory over five challengers during the GOP primary in September and faced off against Democrat Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, in the November elections.
During her speech, Ayotte pledged to maintain the state’s prosperous trajectory but cautioned about the financial tightening ahead as legislators prepare the next two-year budget.
“We will need to discover more efficient ways to operate with reduced funding,” she stated. “Similar to a family navigating tough choices, some areas must remain prioritized — particularly the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens — while we meticulously review all budget allocations for potential savings.”
Having made a mark as the third woman to assume the governorship in New Hampshire, Ayotte joins the ranks of previous governors Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, both of whom currently serve as U.S. senators. She made history by being the first woman to transition from senator to governor, a notable reversal of the typical path, according to Eric Ostermeier, a researcher at the University of Minnesota who specializes in political trends.
Notably, while over 150 current or past governors have transitioned to the Senate, only 23 senators have successfully become governors since the year 1900. In an October interview, Ayotte reflected on her background, emphasizing how her experience in Washington could be advantageous in her new role.
“I possess insights about how Washington operates and am equipped to advocate for the needs of New Hampshire. My established connections there, even across party lines, will be invaluable as I take on this role,” she explained. “This unique experience enriches my capabilities as governor.”
Ayotte’s political journey in Washington concluded with a narrow defeat to Hassan in 2016 after serving one term. Previously, she spent five years as New Hampshire’s attorney general and emphasized her prosecutorial background throughout her campaign.
In her first address as governor, Ayotte reiterated her commitment to public safety, identified the state’s housing crisis as a pressing challenge, and commended Republicans for their efforts in broadening access to the state’s school voucher program. While further details were not provided, she announced plans to prohibit cellphones in schools and mentioned the creation of a Commission on Government Efficiency, paralleling elements of policies once promoted by President-elect Donald Trump. This new commission will be chaired by former Republican governor Craig Benson and businessman Andy Crews.
“Our focus must be on enhancing government efficiency, akin to the streamlined methodologies of manufacturing that eliminate unnecessary waste,” she said.
Ayotte’s relationship with Trump has been complicated; she withdrew her endorsement of him back in 2016 due to inappropriate remarks he made about women, only to endorse him again last year. Despite past differences, she played a pivotal role in facilitating Justice Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately influenced the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
In her recent statements, she pledged to veto any legislation aiming to impose stricter abortion regulations in New Hampshire, where the procedure is currently restricted after 24 weeks. Although state Democratic leaders quickly criticized her for echoing Trump’s ideologies and steering New Hampshire into a “perilous” direction, Ayotte stressed her objective of fostering bipartisanship.
“Preserving what distinguishes us is far more crucial than the influence of any single person or political faction,” she asserted. “I promise to pursue unity, even if our views don’t always align.”
