She’s trying to regain her seat.
In 2016, Kelly Ayotte was viewed as a rising star within the GOP. However, by 2017, she had transitioned from her role as senator to a former senator. Now, Ayotte, a New Hampshire Republican, is embarking on a bid to reenter politics in a different capacity – as a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for governor of her state. One of the notable distinctions between her previous tenure and her current endeavor is her stance toward Donald Trump.
During the seven-plus years she spent out of office, Ayotte remained engaged in the political and policy arenas, preparing for her next opportunity. She served on corporate boards, contributed articles on state and national issues to newspapers, and provided counsel during the Senate confirmation process for one of Trump’s Supreme Court nominees during the early stages of the Trump administration.
In 2016, Ayotte was nearing the conclusion of her first Senate term, where she had established herself as a prominent GOP figure on national security matters, coinciding with Trump’s unexpected ascent in the political sphere. Initially, like many Republicans, Ayotte had supported Trump. However, she withdrew her endorsement mere weeks before the 2016 Election Day following the release of the “Access Hollywood” video, in which Trump made derogatory comments about women without their consent.
Ayotte’s decision to revoke her support for Trump stemmed from her condemnation of his remarks, stating, “I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women.” Consequently, Ayotte narrowly lost her re-election bid to Democrat Maggie Hassan, as Trump also narrowly lost New Hampshire.
Now reentering the political fray as a gubernatorial candidate, Ayotte has endorsed Trump, aligning herself with his agenda and offering a sharp critique of President Joe Biden. Her primary opponent, Chuck Morse, had previously endorsed Trump in the 2024 race, both vying to succeed the retiring GOP Governor Chris Sununu.
Reflecting on Ayotte’s trajectory, a former aide noted her commitment to the citizens of New Hampshire during her Senate tenure, suggesting that her decision to run for governor was a natural progression in her political career.
