New Hampshire is poised to elect its third female governor in November following the primary victories of former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. The upcoming election marks the first time since 2016 that the governor's office is an open seat, as Republican Gov. Chris Sununu opted not to seek a fifth term.
In the Republican primary, Ayotte emerged as a frontrunner against former state Senate President Chuck Morse, while on the Democratic side, Craig faced competition from Cinde Warmington, a member of the governor's Executive Council.
New Hampshire has previously elected two female governors, both of whom now serve in the U.S. Senate. Ayotte, the state's first female attorney general, emphasized her desire to continue the progress made under Gov. Sununu's leadership.
Craig, who served as the first female mayor of Manchester, highlighted her experience in city governance and outlined her priorities, including addressing the housing crisis, improving public schools, and expanding access to reproductive health care. She criticized Ayotte's record and vowed to create a brighter future for the state.
In the 2nd Congressional District, former White House aide Maggie Goodlander secured the Democratic nomination, while Lily Tang Williams emerged victorious in the Republican primary. Goodlander emphasized fighting for economic and voting freedoms, while Tang Williams, a Chinese immigrant and GOP activist, pledged to uphold constitutional values.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas won the Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional District, positioning himself for a fourth term. Former state Sen. Russell Prescott secured the Republican nomination, highlighting his problem-solving skills and extensive experience in state government.
With the stage set for a historic governor's race and competitive congressional contests, New Hampshire voters face critical decisions as the November election approaches.
