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CONCORD, N.H. — In a highly competitive gubernatorial election, voters in New Hampshire are faced with a choice between two distinct candidates, one transitioning from local leadership to a statewide role and the other bringing federal experience to the position.
Democrat Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, is pitted against Republican Kelly Ayotte, a former U.S. senator. This election marks a significant moment as both candidates have the potential to become the third woman to hold the governor’s office in New Hampshire, following the paths of Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, both of whom currently serve in the Senate.
Ayotte’s political journey ended in 2016 when she narrowly lost to Hassan after serving one term. Prior to her Senate tenure, she was the state’s attorney general for five years, a role that she emphasized throughout her campaign, drawing attention to her prosecutorial background.
Endorsed by outgoing Governor Chris Sununu ahead of the Republican primary, Ayotte is committed to upholding his tax and pro-business policies. She has crafted a campaign narrative that critiques Massachusetts as a liberal influence, using the slogan “Don’t Mass it up,” while attributing issues of crime, homelessness, and drug overdose rates in Manchester to Craig’s policies.
During a recent debate, Ayotte expressed her concerns about Craig’s proposal to reintroduce a tax on interest and dividends, warning about the implications for retirees and those saving for retirement. “If she’s willing in a contested campaign to talk about increasing your taxes, imagine what she’s going to do when she’s governor,” Ayotte stated.
Craig, who made history by becoming Manchester’s first female mayor in 2017, also has a rich history of public service that includes roles on the school board and board of aldermen. She cites her executive experience as vital in addressing urgent state issues like housing, education, and reproductive health care access.
In debate discourse, Craig criticized Ayotte’s past votes, particularly her support for defunding Planned Parenthood and removing insurance coverage for contraception. Although Ayotte has stated she would veto further restrictive abortion laws, she supported a 20-week abortion ban during her tenure in the Senate. Craig labeled Ayotte “the most extreme threat to reproductive freedoms our state has ever seen,” asserting that her views are misaligned with those of the state’s residents.
“Sen. Ayotte has spent her entire career attacking reproductive freedom,” Craig asserted, emphasizing that Ayotte’s actions contradict her current rhetoric.
New Hampshire legislation currently restricts abortions after 24 weeks, except in cases where the mother’s life or health is at serious risk or there are fetal abnormalities.
While Ayotte enjoys substantial name recognition and has secured considerable fundraising support, Craig has gained momentum from a more cohesive party base, energized by high-profile endorsements, including VP Kamala Harris. On the other hand, Ayotte faces challenges within the Republican party, notably her complicated relationship with former President Donald Trump, whom she initially distanced herself from in 2016 due to his remarks about women but now supports, citing the contrast with the current administration.
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