Ayotte wins reelection with 51% of votes cast
The incumbent governor defeated Cinde Warmington in a race that remained close until the early hours of Wednesday.
By Elena Perry ·
New Hampshire voters returned Gov. Kelly Ayotte to office on Tuesday, securing her a second term despite a wave of Democratic victories across the state.
The Associated Press called the race for Ayotte at 1 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, 84% of the vote had been counted. Ayotte led Democrat Cinde Warmington by four points, with 51% of the total against Warmington’s 47%.
Ayotte addressed supporters at Tuscan Village in Salem shortly before midnight. She urged patience while the final returns came in. “We are going to wait for every single vote to be counted tonight, but I want you to know that we are very very optimistic about the result and where things stand,” Ayotte said. “But I feel very strongly that it’s important we have every vote come in before we make a final conclusion here.”
During her first term, Ayotte focused on public safety and economic policy. She overhauled state bail laws and pushed for stricter penalties for driving while intoxicated. As a former attorney general, she appointed former law enforcement officials to key administration posts. She also signed bills barring localities from adopting sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants. She expanded Education Freedom Accounts and supported overturning a state Supreme Court ruling on public education funding.
The campaign centered on housing and cost of living. Ayotte cited high home and rental prices as the state’s top economic issue. She pointed to legislation easing zoning restrictions and speeding up permit processing. She also signed a bill offering tax credits to businesses that provide on-site childcare. Warmington criticized the economy, calling it “simply and fundamentally broken.” She argued that Ayotte’s agenda shifted costs to municipalities and local taxpayers.
Ayotte now faces a divided government. Democrats appear poised to gain seats in the state Senate, House, and Executive Council. This shift may limit her ability to pass legislative priorities. Her early agenda will include shaping the state budget and appointing a new chief justice to the state supreme court. Former Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald stepped down in September amid an ethics investigation. Ayotte must also address ongoing issues at the Sununu Youth Services Center.
Kyle Simpson, a member of the state’s traffic safety commission, attended the election night event. His young son died in an accident involving a distracted driver. “She speaks her mind and she definitely goes out there and fights for what she says she believes in,” Simpson said. Ayotte’s second term begins with a focus on the economy and administrative appointments.
