New Hampshire governor's race tests ticket-splitting power in 2023
- Kelly Ayotte, a former senator, is running for governor in New Hampshire against Joyce Craig.
- Democrats are criticizing Ayotte's past positions on abortion and her association with Trump, while Republicans highlight Craig's record as mayor.
- The election is a significant test of voter behavior, particularly regarding ticket-splitting and perceptions of candidates' credibility.
The New Hampshire governor's race is heating up as Republican Kelly Ayotte faces off against Democrat Joyce Craig. Ayotte, a former senator, is attempting to reclaim political ground after her previous loss in 2016, which was partly attributed to her distancing from Donald Trump. Democrats are focusing their campaign on Ayotte's past positions on abortion and her association with Trump, while Republicans are trying to localize the race by highlighting Craig's tenure as mayor of Manchester, particularly regarding homelessness and drug issues. Craig's campaign counters these claims by arguing that her administration worked to address these challenges despite limited state resources. The election is seen as a critical test of ticket-splitting voters, with both parties strategizing to sway undecided voters. The outcome may hinge on how voters perceive Ayotte's alignment with Trump and her credibility on key issues like abortion, as well as Craig's record in Manchester. Political analysts suggest that if Trump performs poorly in the state, it could significantly impact Ayotte's chances of winning the governorship.