The top two issues in the New Hampshire governor’s race are abortion and income taxes, but only one made the cut at left-leaning New Hampshire Public Radio’s gubernatorial debate.
Republican Kelly Ayotte has been hit with millions of dollars in attack ads on the abortion issue, and it was the second subject raised by moderators Annmarie Timmins and Josh Rogers. There were at least six abortion questions during the one-hour forum, with the moderators going back to Ayotte’s views on the topic late in the debate.
But the other hot topic in the governor’s race, Democrat Joyce Craig’s call to bring back the income tax on interest and dividends, didn’t get a mention. In fact, the topics of taxes, the state budget, and the economy were never raised.
During the entire one-hour debate, the moderators never said the word “taxes” a single time.
On the abortion issue, Ayotte repeated her position that the state’s current law, which allows abortion for any reason for the first six months of pregnancy, and in limited circumstances after that. Craig reiterated her position that the state’s late-term abortion restrictions should be repealed, and abortion should be legal at any time during a pregnancy, no matter how late and for any reason.
Timmins brought up Craig’s support for taxpayer-funded abortions via Medicaid and her support for a law to force private insurers, regardless of their moral or religious views, to include abortion coverage in their policies.
“I believe that abortion is health care, and if a woman needs an abortion, she should have access to that health care no matter if she can afford it or not,” Craig said.
On climate change and energy policy, Ayotte said she takes an “all of the above” approach to electricity generation, “whether it is natural gas, or hydropower, solar, and other renewables.” She also mentioned small modular nuclear technology that is on the horizon.
Craig touted her success in adding solar power to the city of Manchester grid during her time as mayor.
“We built the largest municipal solar array in the state, saving our residents money. And because of that solar array and other initiatives we put in place, we were able to cut carbon emissions by 60 percent,” Craig said. She released an “Energy Independence and Climate Plan,” which includes taxpayer subsidies for electric vehicles and heat pumps. But Craig has not announced how much her plan would cost, and NHPR didn’t ask.
Craig was asked about her opposition to a ban on sanctuary cities in New Hampshire, a ban Ayotte supports and says she would sign into law.
“New Hampshire is not a sanctuary state, and it would not be a sanctuary state when I am governor,” Craig said. “I trust our local communities to put policies in place to keep the cities and towns safe. That’s what I support.”
Pressed on the immigration issue, Craig brought up a federal border security bill supported by the Biden administration and a handful of Republican U.S. senators, blaming GOP opposition to that legislation for the illegal immigration problem.
“I don’t know why she’s talking about federal legislation,” Ayotte shot back. “We’re running for the governor of New Hampshire, and the question becomes, how do we keep New Hampshire safe?”
Ayotte was also questioned about her changing stance on Donald Trump. In 2016, she withdrew her endorsement of the GOP nominee in the wake of the Access Hollywood tape, but she’s backing him today.
“I’m looking at the record of when President Trump was in office, in terms of we were in a position where energy costs were better, inflation was better, it was a better economic situation for the people of New Hampshire versus under the Biden-Harris administration, and that’s what I’m looking at,” Ayotte said.
The NHPR moderators also picked up on the issue of Craig’s fondness for campaigning with progressive Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.
“You’ve said, if elected, you would hope to run New Hampshire as you ran Manchester as mayor. But you spent a lot of time, including last night campaigning with Massachusetts governor Maura Healey,” Rogers said. “How much do you see Massachusetts as a model for New Hampshire? And if you don’t, why are you logging so much time with Gov. Healy and her financial backers?”
Craig appeared caught off guard.
“It’s a friend of mine. You know, just like other people, I have friends from out of state. I haven’t spent an excessive amount of time with her,” Craig insisted. “It has nothing to do with who I am or what I’m running for.”
During her opening remarks, on the other hand, Ayotte spent her time talking about another governor.
“I believe the past eight years under Gov. [Chris] Sununu have been very good for New Hampshire. New Hampshire is leading the nation in many metrics. We’re the number one state for child well being. We’re the number one state for personal and economic freedom. We have the lowest tax burden in the nation and the lowest poverty rate in the nation. I could go on and on, but the results speak for themselves. The path Gov. Sununu has had the state on has been good for the people of New Hampshire. I will keep New Hampshire on that path.”
