By BallotWire
2024
The 2024 New Hampshire gubernatorial election, which took place on November 5, 2024, marked a significant political moment as Republican Kelly Ayotte won the governorship, succeeding fellow Republican Chris Sununu, who decided not to pursue a fifth term.
Kelly Ayotte, a former U.S. Senator from 2011 to 2017 and New Hampshire Attorney General from 2004 to 2009, entered the gubernatorial race to continue the state's Republican leadership. Her political experience includes a narrow defeat in the 2016 Senate re-election, where she lost by just 0.14%. On the Democratic side, Joyce Craig, who served as the mayor of Manchester from 2018 to 2024, ran for governor. As the city's first female mayor, Craig's administration focused on urban development and public welfare initiatives.
The primary elections held on September 10, 2024, were crucial in setting the tone for the general election. In the Republican primary, Ayotte secured her nomination with 63.1% of the votes, defeating former State Senate President Chuck Morse, who received 34.1%. Other candidates included Shaun Fife, Robert McClory, and Frank Staples. On the Democratic side, Joyce Craig emerged as the nominee with 47.9% of the vote, surpassing Cinde Warmington, a New Hampshire Executive Council member, who garnered 41.8%. Jonathan Kiper received 9.4% of the votes.
The general election campaign showcased contrasting visions for New Hampshire's future. Ayotte highlighted her experience in federal and state roles, focusing on economic policy, public safety, and preserving New Hampshire's tax-advantaged status. She pledged to maintain the state law banning abortions after 24 weeks, a stance aligned with legislation passed by the Republican-controlled legislature in 2021.
In contrast, Craig centered her campaign on her executive experience as Manchester's mayor, emphasizing her contributions to urban development, housing, and public health. She advocated for expanded access to reproductive health services and criticized Ayotte's previous support for national abortion restrictions.
In the general election, Ayotte received 53.6% of the votes, translating to 435,400 votes, while Craig secured 44.3% or 360,068 votes. Libertarian candidate Stephen Villee captured 2.1% of the votes, totaling 16,919. Ayotte's victory ensured that the governorship remained under Republican control, reflecting the state's contemporary trend of favoring Republican executive leaders despite leaning Democratic in federal elections.
Ayotte's election was historic as it marked her return to public office after an eight-year hiatus, making her the third woman to serve as governor of New Hampshire. The state has a notable history of electing female leaders, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, who have also served as governors, emphasizing New Hampshire's progressive stance on women's political representation.