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Incumbent
Kelly Ayotte has vowed to keep New Hampshire on the "Sununu path." Like former Governor Chris Sununu, she has bucked her party on some hot issues. For example, she vetoed a bill that would have allowed some spaces to segregate based on biological sex (HB 148). That independent streak makes her more appealing to voters in the middle, and so far no Republicans are challenging her reelection. She has also focused on law-and-order issues in her first year as governor, tightening bail laws and restoring retirement benefits to law enforcement.
Awaiting response to our 2026 State Candidate Survey

Position on Issues

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?
"Kelly supports Education Freedom Accounts and will fight for Universal education freedom because every child should have the same learning opportunities and chance at success, regardless of their zip code or family income."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law allow segregation based on biological sex in some settings, such as bathrooms and locker rooms?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

"Kelly supports and will not change New Hampshire's existing abortion law, which protects women's freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy and addresses late term abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Kelly supports and will not change New Hampshire's current abortion law, which protects women's freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy and addresses late term abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"Kelly will never allow an income or sales tax to be imposed in New Hampshire. As Governor, she will protect our state's economic advantage to allow families and small businesses to thrive."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Kelly’s answer is simple — no new taxes, period. Kelly will always look to cut taxes wherever possible and will look closely at potential future business tax cuts in her first budget."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Kelly will work to streamline the state permitting process and cut unnecessary red tape to make it easier to build new housing in New Hampshire. Kelly respects local decision making and will work with local communities to build more housing by partnering with them on issues like infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer. Finally, Kelly will convene state and municipal officials and the private sector to bring all of the stakeholders to the table to determine how we can work together to build more workforce housing in New Hampshire."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire do more to encourage the development of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMR), in the state?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?

"Kelly will examine ways to expand net metering capacity while protecting rate payers."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

"Women in New Hampshire are guaranteed access to abortion under current law, which protects their freedom to obtain an abortion for any reason up to six months of pregnancy with exceptions for medical emergencies in the last trimester."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

"Kelly believes that the legislature and Governor working with local communities should decide how to fund education in New Hampshire to ensure we have the best schools in the country. She does not believe these issues should be decided by the courts."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire require new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire allow at least 10% of students in each school district to enroll in a different public school, regardless of where they live?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"New Hampshire does not have an abortion ban. In New Hampshire, women have the freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy in the last three months for medical emergencies. Kelly supports and will not change that law."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Kelly supports our current laws and will enforce them."
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