For New Hampshire Republicans, the race for governor has gotten off to a perfect start.
Their nominee, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, handily won her nomination, collecting around 65 percent of the vote, while Democrat Joyce Craig struggled to break through the 50 percent barrier. It’s the sort of outcome that can add to Ayotte’s momentum with the general election just 55 days away.
Gov. Chris Sununu, who endorsed Ayotte last month, took to social media to celebrate.
“Congratulations to Kelly Ayotte — our Republican Nominee for Governor! The choice couldn’t be clearer. Kelly will fight to protect the NH Advantage, keep us INCOME TAX-FREE, and continue expanding personal freedoms. Let’s keep moving forward and get the job done this November!”
Kelly Ayotte is joined by her mom, Kathy, on stage as she gives her victory speech on primary night. (CREDIT: JEFFREY HASTINGS)
“Live Free or Die are more than words on a license plate,” Ayotte told supporters who packed a backroom at Bonfire, the Manchester country-themed restaurant and bar. “New Hampshire is the best state to live, the best state work, the best state to raise a family, and this is about making sure that New Hampshire remains that way.”
Less than a half hour away in Atkinson, the mood was somber and subdued at a post-primary watch party hosted at a local country club by former GOP Senate President Chuck Morse. It was the same club – the Atkinson Country Club and Resort – that was the site of a more upbeat speech in January when Morse spoke on the same stage as GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“We love you, Chuck,” supporters shouted as Morse told the crowd he had called Ayotte to congratulate her on her win.
“I can tell you, I have one more speech left in me, and that’ll be on Thursday. I will go to the unity breakfast and unite the party,” said Morse. “And I think you can understand that I’ll take a break.”
“I told her I would be there Thursday, and I’ll certainly do what’s right for the party. I’ve always believed in that, and I think that’s what you have to do in politics. There’s nothing more important than Nov. 5, as far as I’m concerned, for this country and for New Hampshire. So you can count on me for that.”
Democrats are also pledging unity, but their governor’s race was the most contentious contest of the cycle filled with personal attacks and hard-hitting negative ads. It was the most heated Democratic primary in recent memory, longtime party members told NHJournal.
And because the two liberal Democrats agreed on nearly every policy issue, the attacks soon turned personal.
Craig attacked Warmington for her work as a lobbyist on behalf of Oxycontin and Purdue Pharma, while Warmington wrapped the mantle of Manchester’s crime and homelessness around Craig’s campaign. Warmington also accused Craig of profiting from the illegal drug trade via her husband’s law practice.
Tuesday night, however, Warmington said she was ready to support her party’s nominee.
“I called Joyce Craig and I congratulated her on her victory, and I pledged to fight my heart out to help make sure she is our next governor,” Warmington said in a statement. “While Joyce and I had a few disagreements during the campaign, we both love this state, and we both know we have to stop Kelly Ayotte from becoming governor. That’s why we have to stay in the fight and make sure Joyce Craig wins in November.”
Republicans didn’t waste any time going after Craig. Within minutes of her victory, the Republican Governors Association had already released a video targeting her record as mayor.
In her remarks Tuesday night, Ayotte warned the Democrats would “take us down the Massachusetts path.”
The Bay State, where Democrats hold all statewide offices in addition to supermajorities in the legislature, has served as a convenient political punching bag for Ayotte. Her campaign slogan, “Don’t MASS up New Hampshire,” was shouted by more than a few of her supporters during her speech.
“That’s right, don’t ‘Mass it up,’” Ayotte responded at one point. “We have something really exceptional here.
Ayotte also made sure to praise Morse, despite the sometimes contentious tone of the campaign.
“I’m very glad that Chuck ran in this race,” Ayotte said. “We had a spirited primary.
“I respect Chuck, and you know, I want to thank him for his dedicated service to the state of New Hampshire, and he pledged his support to me in this primary, because he also loves this state and knows how important it is that we win the Corner Office in November.”
Asked by NHJournal what she would say to Morse’s supporters, Ayotte said despite their differences on the campaign trail, they back the same ideals.
“We share probably most of the same policy ideas in terms of protecting the New Hampshire Advantage, in banning sanctuary cities, making sure that we support parents and education freedom. Those are all principles that Chuck and I share, and he’s pledged to support me in this campaign, and we’ll be working together to make sure that we succeed,” she said.
Chuck Morse greets a supporter in Atkinson after giving his concession speech in the GOP gubernatorial primary, September 10, 2024.
In Atkinson, Morse spoke emotionally about the work his supporters put in, his voice cracking at times.
“Listen, you guys, for the amount of people we have on this team, you did way above what anyone else has done in politics in New Hampshire,” he said. “And then to my friends, let me just be clear, no one puts up 900 signs and knocks on the doors that we knocked on, and then goes out and puts over 5,000 yard signs, without the effort that you put in for me.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Morse said.
State Sen. Darryl Abbas (R-Salem), one of several GOP members of the upper chamber who endorsed Morse, told NHJournal he was proud to back his campaign. “Chuck is the man,” Abbas said.
New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Chris Ager was at Ayotte’s victory speech, and he called her win “decisive.” He said her ability to court independent voters made the difference.
“Chuck is a great Republican, a good, loyal Republican,” Ager said. “He is going to help Kelly now.”
Asked if he believed the two candidates could bury the hatchet, Ager said, “There is no hatchet to bury.”
He also noted how much stronger Ayotte’s performance was compared to Craig’s.
“The results tonight are a great sign that Ayotte has momentum and solid support from both the conservative base and more middle-of-the-road voters. The failed Manchester mayor cannot run away from her dismal legacy, New Hampshire voters demand pragmatism and results. They won’t get that from Joyce Craig,” Ager said.
