Incumbent Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte Wins New Hampshire Primary Handily

Kelly Ayotte, the incumbent Republican governor of New Hampshire, secured the party’s nomination by comfortably beating primary rivals Shaun Fife and Bob Wayne McClory on Tuesday. Ayotte, who served as the state attorney general from 2004 to 2009 and as a U.S. senator from 2010 to 2016, first won the governorship in 2024 by defeating former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig after Chris Sununu stepped down. During her current term, she has pursued a rollback of portions of the state's bail reform, mandated restrictions on student cellphone use in public schools, and strengthened penalties for drivers who refuse Breathalyzer tests.

Critics on the left have pointed to budget cuts affecting state agencies. The Democratic challenger, Cinde Warmington, served two terms on New Hampshire’s Executive Council and was the lone Democrat on that body. Warmington has criticized Ayotte for not confronting President Donald Trump on issues such as healthcare cuts, tariffs and the war in Iran. The two will clash in the general election later this year.