Exclusive: CONCORD, NH – Kelly Ayotte becomes… The nation's newest ruler on Thursday when it was inaugurated at the New Hampshire State House.
The former U.S. senator, who previously served as the state's attorney general, will take office in the key swing state of New England a week and a half ago. President-elect Trump IIt was opened.
Ayotte, who succeeded fellow Republican Gov. Chris Sununu to lead the Granite State, says she looks forward to working with the Trump administration.
“I will work with the administration on behalf of New Hampshire and advocate for the Granite State on the important priorities here: keeping the state safe, and making sure that when it comes to federal resources that we defend New Hampshire, so look,” Ayotte said in an exclusive national interview with Fox News Digital. Before her inauguration: “I look forward to working with the administration.”
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Former Senator Kelly Ayotte, Republican nominee for governor of New Hampshire, celebrates her victory in the election for governor on November 5, 2024. (Kelly Ayotte campaign)
During last year's gubernatorial campaign, which culminated in Ayotte defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig by nearly 10 points in the November election, The issue of illegal immigration Border security has often been in the spotlight in a state that shares a border with Canada and has long been dealing with a severe fentanyl crisis.
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Ayotte, who pledged during his election campaign to prevent this New Hampshire From becoming a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants, it will have what Sununu has not enjoyed for the past four years: a Republican in the White House.
“President Trump will enforce the laws, and that's important to me. And we have a northern border.”
Republican Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte, a former U.S. Senator, gives an interview with Fox News Digital on January 7, 2024, at the State House in Concord, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Referring to her time as state attorney general, Ayotte said, “I think it's important to hold criminals accountable. As we look at New Hampshire, we're not going to allow New Hampshire to become a sanctuary state. And so it's important that we enforce our laws and welcome legal immigration, but those who come to “Here illegally, especially those who commit crimes, must be held accountable.”
Ayotte was elected to the US Senate in 2010 and has been a rising star in the Republican Party and considered a leader on national security and foreign policy.
But Ayotte lost re-election in 2016 by a razor-thin margin of just over 1,000 votes at the hands of then-Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte, left, and Gov. Chris Sununu meet in the New Hampshire Governor's Office at the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire, on November 7, 2024. (New Hampshire Governor's Office)
Now, as she leads the Granite State, she said, “My first priority is to be a governor for all of New Hampshire, for all of the people, and to be accessible to the people of New Hampshire.”
“Making sure that we continue to grow our economy, our prosperity and our freedom here in New Hampshire, and that we have a responsible budget where we live within our means but effectively serve the people of New Hampshire, those will be my priorities on day one.” She added.
Ayotte, who made history nearly two decades ago as the state's first attorney general, made history again in November as the first woman Republican woman To win the election for governor of New Hampshire.
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“We have a lot of strong women who have served in this state, with a great history,” Ayotte said. “There are so many examples of women who led and great men who led as well.”
“Her hope is that every little girl understands that whatever position she strives for is available to her, and that we don't even have these discussions about whether a woman is elected or a man is elected because it's equal for her,” she said. “Everybody has to understand that those opportunities are out there, and I think that’s what’s happening in New Hampshire.”
