Incumbent Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte secured an easy victory in New Hampshire's gubernatorial primary Tuesday, defeating challengers Shaun Fife and Bob Wayne McClory. Ayotte, seeking her second two-year term, will face Democrat Cinde Warmington in the general election. Warmington ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Ayotte, a former U.S. Senator and state Attorney General, won the governor's mansion in 2024, succeeding four-term Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. In her first term, Ayotte's administration enacted legislation restricting student cellphone use in public schools and increased penalties for motorists who refuse Breathalyzer tests. She also supported rolling back portions of the state's bail reform law. Her tenure has drawn criticism from the left regarding budget cuts to state agencies.
Warmington, who previously served two terms on New Hampshire's Executive Council, has criticized Ayotte for not taking a stronger stance against former President Donald Trump, citing healthcare cuts and tariffs. Ayotte has largely steered clear of aligning herself with Trump during her first term, responding to questions about Trump's potential visits by stating, "I'm standing with the people of New Hampshire."
Warmington, a former Executive Councilor, is making her second bid for governor, having lost the 2024 Democratic gubernatorial primary. As the lone Democrat on the five-member Executive Council, she worked with the governor on state measures and gubernatorial appointments. Ayotte previously served as New Hampshire's Attorney General from 2004 to 2009 and as a U.S. Senator from 2010 before narrowly losing her reelection bid in 2016 to Democrat Maggie Hassan.