Incumbent GOP governor rolls to primary victory after keeping Trump at a distance

First-term Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte easily handled her primary opponents Tuesday, setting up a high-stakes general election battle against Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cinde Warmington, who ran unopposed for her party's nomination.

Ayotte defeated Republican challengers Shaun Fife and Bob Wayne McClory as she seeks a second two-year term leading the Granite State.

The former senator and state Attorney General entered Tuesday's primary as the incumbent after winning the governor's mansion in 2024, when Ayotte defeated former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and kept the office in Republican hands following the retirement of four-term GOP Gov. Chris Sununu.

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New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte marches in the annual Independence Day parade in Amherst, N.H., on July 4, 2026. (Gov. Kelly Ayotte)

Ayotte previously served as New Hampshire's attorney general from 2004 to 2009 before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. She served one term before narrowly losing her 2016 reelection campaign to Democrat Maggie Hassan.

In 2024, following Sununu's decision not to seek a fifth two-year term, Ayotte mounted a political comeback with the outgoing governor's endorsement.

Former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu of New Hampshire is interviewed by Fox News Digital, on Sept.15, 2025 in Rye, N.H. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News Digital)

In her first term, Ayotte successfully pushed to roll back portions of the state's bail reform law, arguing the existing system was too lenient on criminal suspects awaiting trial, signed legislation requiring public schools to restrict student cellphone use and pushed penalties for motorists who refuse Breathalyzer tests.

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Meanwhile, her tenure has faced criticism from the left over a state budget that included cuts to state agencies.

Ayotte will take on Warmington, who served on New Hampshire's five-member Executive Council for two terms, during which she was the lone Democrat on the body that works with the governor to approve state measures and helps consider gubernatorial appointments, among its duties. Tuesday marked her second campaign for governor after Warmington lost the 2024 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Warmington has attacked Ayotte for failing to adequately stand up to President Donald Trump, citing healthcare cuts, tariffs and the war in Iran.

Former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington of New Hampshire, seen in a campaign video launches her second straight bid for governor of the key northern New England swing state. (Cinde Warmington for governor)

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The Concord Monitor reported in June that Ayotte "steered clear of all things Trump" for much of her first term, noting that, when asked whether she would stand with Trump if he visited New Hampshire, Ayotte responded, "I'm standing with the people of New Hampshire."