She changed her mind about Trump.
Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte is actively backing former President Trump’s presidential ambitions as she runs for governor in a high-profile election year. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Ayotte criticized President Biden’s administration, citing increased costs and diminished safety compared to Trump’s tenure.
Ayotte’s support for Trump marks a significant shift since 2016, when she withdrew her endorsement over controversial remarks he made in the “Access Hollywood” tape. Despite her past reservations, Ayotte, a former attorney general and senator from New Hampshire, is now aligned with Trump, emphasizing the need for a change in national direction.
Her gubernatorial bid follows a closely contested Senate reelection loss in 2016 to then-Gov. Maggie Hassan. Ayotte, who slightly outperformed Trump in New Hampshire, subsequently took on advisory roles in corporate boards, including a stint at News Corp., and remained involved in state politics.
Announcing her candidacy nearly a year ago, Ayotte entered a field left open by Gov. Chris Sununu’s decision not to seek a fifth term. While initially neutral in New Hampshire’s primary, Ayotte endorsed Trump early in the nomination process, praising his approach to border security, tax policy, and vision for the country’s future.
Despite leading in both polling and fundraising for the GOP gubernatorial primary in early September, Ayotte faces criticism from opponents like Chuck Morse, a former state Senate president. Morse has characterized Ayotte as wavering in her conservative principles during her time in Washington, contrasting his steadfast conservatism with what he perceives as Ayotte’s establishment moderation.
As Ayotte filed her candidacy amidst enthusiastic supporter turnout at the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire, Morse’s campaign highlighted Ayotte’s political evolution, questioning her consistency and ideological commitment over the years.
