Kelly Ayotte is the incumbent governor of New Hampshire, seeking reelection in November 2026. Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Ayotte earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Villanova University. She began her legal career in private practice before becoming a prosecutor and later serving as New Hampshire's first woman Attorney General from 2004 to 2009. In 2010, Ayotte was elected to the United States Senate, where she served until 2017, working on national security, criminal justice, and healthcare legislation. Following her Senate career, she held leadership positions on corporate and nonprofit boards. In 2024, Ayotte was elected governor of New Hampshire, taking office in January 2025. Her reelection campaign emphasizes housing affordability, childcare access, public safety, educational improvements, and limiting taxes. The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3.
