Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte launches bid for New Hampshire governor

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte launched her campaign for governor of New Hampshire on Monday, aiming to succeed Chris Sununu in a highly competitive race.

“I’m running for Governor because New Hampshire is one election away from becoming Massachusetts — from becoming something we are not," Ayotte said in a statement. “We will ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free.”

Ayotte is diving into the already crowded gubernatorial race after losing her last Senate reelection bid in 2016 by fewer than a thousand votes statewide. After Sununu last week announced his decision not to run for a fifth term in 2024, candidates from both parties wasted no time joining the fray. In the GOP primary, Ayotte faces competition from former state Senate President Chuck Morse.

Sununu, a moderate Republican and frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, won reelection by large margins in 2020 and 2022, while Democrats have consistently won the state in presidential elections since 2004. Despite past struggles to defeat Sununu, next year’s race could be a promising chance for Democrats to regain control of the governorship. Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington and outgoing Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig are vying for the party nomination, which has already split its establishment.

Ayotte has a long history in New Hampshire Republican politics, serving as state attorney general from 2004 to 2009 and first winning her Senate seat in 2010. She faced a tough reelection in 2016, defending her conservative voting record in a state known for its independent streak.

The 2016 race became even more challenging when the Democratic then-Gov. Maggie Hassan launched her Senate bid. Ayotte struggled to navigate her position on Trump's candidacy, attempting to support him without fully endorsing him and eventually reversing after the “Access Hollywood” tape emerged.

Her announcement Monday came with strong backing from Republican leaders. Among her slate of endorsers are former Sen. Judd Gregg, New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and a former colleague of Morse, state Sen. Bill Gannon.