Kelly Ayotte, a former U.S. senator, was sworn in as the 83rd Governor of New Hampshire Thursday. She promised to bring people closer together and encouraged young people to “step up and participate.”
“I will be a Governor for You, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, Independent, you name it. In prepared remarks, she stated, “Our state is much larger than any party or ideology.” “Good government is not partisan, so let us show people we can still be a good example even when partisanship reaches a fever pitch.”
Ayotte succeeds Chris Sununu. Sununu’s decision not to seek a fifth term of two years set the stage for one of the most competitive races in American history. Ayotte, who promised to continue Sununu’s anti-tax and pro-business economic policy, defeated five opponents during the GOP primary in September, as well as former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig, a Democrat, in November.
Ayotte, in her inaugural address, said that she would maintain the state’s prosperity but that it would be necessary to tighten the belt as legislators write the next budget for two years.
She said, “We will have to look for better ways to accomplish things with less money.” “Like that family who had to make hard choices, we cannot skimp on things like protecting the most vulnerable or serving those in greatest need.
Ayotte, a Democrat, is the third woman elected as governor of New Hampshire. She follows Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, and Maggie Hassan (both of whom are now U.S. Senators). The first two women to be elected governors in the United States went on to serve as senators. According to Eric Ostermeier of Smart Politics, Eric Ostermeier is a research fellow and author at the University of Minnesota.
Ostermeier stated that Ayotte is one of only 23 senators or governors who are sitting senators or former senators. Ayotte stated in an October interview that her experience would serve her well.
“I not only understand Washington, but I also know how to fight for New Hampshire.” “I still have relationships with people who make decisions in Washington, both across the aisle and on my side,” she said. “I feel that it broadens my skill set in being a governor to do this in reverse.”
A narrow defeat to Hassan, in 2016, ended Ayotte’s Washington tenure after one term. Ayotte served as attorney general for five years before that. She often emphasized her experience as a prosecutor in her campaign.
She reiterated that on Thursday, stating her top priority is to keep the state safe. She also listed the housing crisis in the state as one of the top issues she intends to address and praised Republicans’ expansion of the state’s school voucher program. She also announced, without providing details, plans to ban cell phones in schools.
“Screens are negatively impacting our learning environments, drawing students’ attention away from their classes, and becoming a barrier for teachers to do their jobs,” she said. “No more.”
Ayotte expressed her excitement to speak to students who visit the Statehouse, and to encourage them to embrace public services.
“If we don’t teach our kids about it, they aren’t going to learn it,” she said. “It is so important to root our lives in something bigger than ourselves, and it is critical to the health of our state and our communities that our next generation step up and contribute.”
