Republican Kelly Ayotte will win New Hampshire governor’s race in political comeback, CNN projects

Republican former Senator Kelly Ayotte has emerged victorious in the New Hampshire governor’s race, marking a triumphant return to the political arena eight years after losing her Senate seat. The CNN projects Ayotte’s win over Democratic former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig in the race to succeed outgoing GOP Governor Chris Sununu.

The New Hampshire gubernatorial race served as a battleground between local issues and national political dynamics, with Republicans focusing on highlighting Craig’s handling of Manchester’s drug and homelessness challenges during her mayoral tenure. Conversely, Democrats attempted to link Ayotte to former President Donald Trump and criticized her stance on abortion rights.

The strategic approaches adopted by both parties reflected the state’s history of ticket-splitting tendencies while also showcasing its gradual shift towards Democratic leanings in national elections. Although Hillary Clinton narrowly carried New Hampshire in 2016, President Joe Biden secured a more decisive victory in the state in 2020.

This election marked the second instance of Ayotte running on the GOP ticket alongside Trump, following her defeat by Maggie Hassan in the 2016 Senate race. Despite withdrawing her endorsement of Trump in 2016 following the release of the controversial “Access Hollywood” tape, Ayotte aligned herself with the former president in the recent election.

Following her Senate defeat in 2016, Ayotte played a pivotal role in guiding Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch through the confirmation process in 2017. Additionally, she assumed board positions in various corporations after concluding her Senate term.

In contrast, Craig served as the mayor of Manchester from 2018 until the beginning of this year, choosing not to pursue reelection after completing three consecutive two-year terms.

The outcome of the New Hampshire governor’s race underscores the intersection of local concerns and national political narratives in shaping voter preferences. Ayotte’s victory signifies a successful political comeback, solidifying her position as the state’s next governor.