Former Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte has won the New Hampshire governor’s race over former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.

Ayotte or Craig will replace Republican Chris Sununu, who announced last year that he would not be seeking reelection. Sununu has been in office since 2016, serving four two-year terms. Before announcing he would not seek reelection, Sununu considered becoming a candidate for president, but he eventually decided not to run.

The New Hampshire governor's race comes down to one candidate who is trying to jump from local to statewide office and another who wants to bring federal experience to the Statehouse.

Republican Kelly Ayotte won the New Hampshire governor's race on Tuesday, Edison Research projected, defeating Democrat Joyce Craig in one of the nation's only closely fought gubernatorial contests.

The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire's governor means 13 women will serve as a state's chief executive next year, breaking the record of 12 set after the 2022 elections.

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The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire’s governor means 13 women will serve as a state’s chief executive next year, breaking the record of 12 set after the 2022 elections. Governors hold powerful sway in American politics,