Kelly Ayotte Declares Victory In NH Governor's Race, Craig Concedes

MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte has declared victory in the New Hampshire governor's race, defeating Democratic challenger, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.

Craig conceded the election around 10 p.m. Tuesday night. In a post on X, Craig wrote that she had called Ayotte to wish her luck.

"I first got involved in public service when I ran for school board. I wanted to strengthen our public schools, and uplift my community," Craig wrote. "I’m proud of the race we ran focusing on these issues."

In her own post on X, Ayotte wrote that she is ready "to hit the ground running to keep our wonderful state safe, prosperous and free."

Ayotte previously served as a Senator for New Hampshire from 2011 to 2017 and as the state’s attorney general 2004 to 2009. She joins Sen. Maggie Hassan as the second ever woman to serve as a governor and senator for the Granite State.

Ayotte succeeds longtime New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who is at the end of his fourth term leading the state.

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