Kelly Ayotte May Have A Challenger in NH

Politico reports that Kelly Ayotte is likely to have a primary challenger in the race for Senator Gregg's open Senate seat.

It’s easy to see why the National Republican Senatorial Committee is so enamored of Ayotte. She’s a youthful, female face in a party that has been criticized for not fielding a diverse crop of candidates. With deep New Hampshire roots and a law enforcement record that has drawn bipartisan praise during her five-year tenure, the 41-year-old Ayotte could prove to be a compelling alternative to the likely Democratic nominee, Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.).

Indeed, to demonstrate its commitment behind her candidacy, the NRSC is even prepared to offer Ayotte its endorsement if she requests it.

Yet two credible GOP candidates — a former nominee for governor and a well-heeled businessman — have signaled that they’ll also pursue the nomination, and the state GOP chairman, John H. Sununu, is indicating that he’s not going to choose sides.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25238.html#ixzz0M0u45siB

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Kelly Ayotte for Senate

Kelly Ayotte Sparks Interest and Attacks in New Hampshire #tcot #sgp #sarah

As Kelly Ayotte looks like a likely candidate for the open Senate seat in NH, the Democrats appear nervous at the prospect launching negative attacks comparing her to both Charlie Crist and Sarah Palin, apparently arguing that she is both too moderate and too conservative.

Excerpt from the New Hampshire Business Review 2010 races starting to take shape.

The most interesting political event occurred when Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte abruptly announced that she would resign her office to investigate running for the Senate. This followed press speculation about her running and firm predictions by many (including the governor and me, for separate reasons) that she would not do so.

Her announcement produced some inappropriate and intemperate comparisons to Governor Palin’s announcement in Alaska, especially from the head of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

Ayotte is a talented, serious and experienced public servant. Prosecuting murder cases and administering the largest group of government attorneys in the state, with the attendant responsibility for setting policy, giving advice, and providing oversight of governmental operations, is more experience than most candidates for public office have, so any comments about her not having served in elective office should be discounted substantially.

Nashua Telegraph Letter: Proud of Kelly Ayotte #tcot

Petty politics detract from Ayotte decision

I was saddened to see the partisan response in the July 8 Telegraph to the decision of Attorney General Kelly Ayotte to resign her post and explore a run for U.S. Senate.

One response was even critical of Gov. John Lynch for his reappointment of Ayotte. In this climate of partisan politics, one should stop and consider the commentary on Ayotte’s talents implied by this reappointment, by a Democratic governor, of a Republican to New Hampshire’s top law enforcement position. I know this of Kelly Ayotte.

When Mark Rowland, a staffer at Nashua Children’s Home, was murdered 10 years ago, on Aug. 20, 1999, it was Kelly Ayotte who so competently prosecuted this case, not once, but twice, ensuring that the murderer would be convicted to a sentence of life imprisonment with no possibility of parole.

It was early on in the retrial that then-Assistant Attorney General Ayotte was promoted to her current office. But she felt that this case was important enough – that her commitment to Mr. Rowland’s family, his friends and colleagues vital enough – that she saw it through.

I, for one, have no issue with Kelly Ayotte’s commitment on any level.

I saw that morning’s headline (“Ayotte resigns as AG, eyes Senate run”) and was immediately filled with a sense of pride for knowing Kelly Ayotte. I’m certain that anyone who knows her feels the same way.

It was only when reading the typical, partisan political commentary within that story that I became dismayed.

David Villiotti
Executive Director
Nashua Children’s Home