Jump to content

Kelly Ayotte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Kelly A. Ayotte)

Kelly Ayotte
Official portrait, 2011
Governor-elect of New Hampshire
Assuming office
January 8, 2025
SucceedingChris Sununu
United States Senator
from New Hampshire
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017
Preceded byJudd Gregg
Succeeded byMaggie Hassan
27th Attorney General of New Hampshire
In office
July 15, 2004 – July 17, 2009
Governor
Preceded byPeter Heed
Succeeded byMichael Delaney
Personal details
Born
Kelly Ann Ayotte

(1968-06-27) June 27, 1968 (age 56)
Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (2003–present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (before 2003)[1]
Spouse
Joseph Daley
​
(m. 2001)​
Children2
Education
Kelly Ayotte's voice
Ayotte questions witnesses on reforming the defense acquisition system
Recorded April 30, 2014

Kelly Ann Ayotte (/ˈeɪɒt/ AY-ott;[2] born June 27, 1968) is an American attorney and politician who is the governor-elect of New Hampshire. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as a United States senator from New Hampshire from 2011 to 2017 and as New Hampshire Attorney General from 2004 to 2009.

Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Ayotte is a graduate of Nashua High School, Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University School of Law. She worked as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Supreme Court before entering private practice. She served as a prosecutor for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, and briefly served as the legal counsel to New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson, before returning to the Department of Justice to serve as Deputy Attorney General of New Hampshire. In 2004, Governor Benson appointed Ayotte as Attorney General of New Hampshire following the resignation of Peter Heed. She became the first and only woman to serve as New Hampshire's Attorney General. She was twice reappointed by Democratic Governor John Lynch. Ayotte resigned from her position as Attorney General in 2009 to pursue a bid for the U.S. Senate, after three-term incumbent Judd Gregg announced his retirement.

In September 2010, Ayotte won a close victory over lawyer Ovide M. Lamontagne in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. She then defeated Democratic congressman Paul Hodes in the general election with 60 percent of the vote. Ayotte was mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[3][4] In 2016, Ayotte was defeated in her bid for reelection by Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan by a very narrow margin of 1,017 votes (0.14 percent).[5] After President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court, the Trump administration chose Ayotte to lead the White House team escorting the nominee to meetings and hearings on Capitol Hill.[6]

Ayotte was elected governor of New Hampshire in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Joyce Craig.[7] She is the third woman to be elected as the State’s Governor, and is expected to assume office on January 8, 2025.

Early life, education, and career

[edit]

Kelly Ann Ayotte[8] was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on June 27, 1968, the daughter of Kathleen M. (née Sullivan) and Marc Frederick Ayotte. Her father's family is of French–Canadian descent.[9] Ayotte attended Nashua High School and received a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in political science.[10] While at Penn State, she was initiated into the Delta Gamma sorority.[11] In 1993, Ayotte received a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law, where she had served as editor of the Environmental Law Journal.[12]

Ayotte clerked for Sherman D. Horton, associate justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, for one year. From 1994 to 1998, she was an associate at McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, a Manchester law firm.[13]

In 1998, Ayotte joined the office of the New Hampshire Attorney General as a prosecutor. In 2001, she married Joseph Daley, a pilot in the National Guard.[14] In 2003, Ayotte became legal counsel to Governor Craig Benson. Three months later, she returned to the Attorney General's office as Deputy Attorney General.[15] In June 2004, Governor Benson appointed Ayotte as Attorney General of the State of New Hampshire after Peter Heed resigned.[16] Ayotte had both of her children while serving as the first and only female New Hampshire Attorney General.[17]

New Hampshire Attorney General

[edit]

Clean air emissions standards

[edit]

Ayotte joined Attorneys General from eight other states to sue federal regulators over a rules change that made clean air emissions standards for power plants less strict and eliminated clean air reporting and monitoring requirements.[18][19]

In 2005, the court agreed with Ayotte and the others that the Environmental Protection Agency must measure changes in the emissions from power plants and could not exempt power plants from reporting their emissions.[19]

Prosecution of murder cases

[edit]

As assistant attorney general, Ayotte prosecuted two defendants for the 2001 Dartmouth College murders in Etna, New Hampshire.

As attorney general, Ayotte prosecuted the high-profile case surrounding the 2006 murder of Manchester police officer Michael Briggs in the line of duty. It resulted in a conviction and death penalty sentence.[20] Members of Briggs's family praised her leadership in television ads for her 2010 Senate campaign.[21][22]

Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

[edit]
Main article: Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

In 2003, the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire found the Parental Notification Prior to Abortion Act, a New Hampshire law requiring parental notification of a minor's abortion, unconstitutional, and enjoined its enforcement. In 2004, New Hampshire Attorney General Peter Heed appealed the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which affirmed the district court's ruling. In 2004, Ayotte appealed the First Circuit's ruling to the Supreme Court, over the objection of incoming Democratic Governor John Lynch. Ayotte personally argued the case before the Supreme Court.[citation needed] The Supreme Court unanimously vacated the district court's ruling and remanded the case back to the district court, holding that it was improper for the district court to invalidate the statute completely instead of just severing the problematic portions of the statute or enjoining the statute's unconstitutional applications.[23] In 2007, the law was repealed by the New Hampshire legislature, mooting the need for a rehearing by the district court.[24]

In 2008, Planned Parenthood sued to recover its attorney fees and court costs from the New Hampshire Department of Justice.[25] In 2009, Ayotte, as attorney general, authorized a payment of $300,000 to Planned Parenthood to settle the suit.[26]

New Hampshire Institute of Politics

[edit]

Ayotte served as a board member of the Public Advisory Board at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College while Attorney General.[27] In March 2011 she returned to the Institute as a senator to talk to political science students.[28]

On May 28, 2013, Ayotte attended a forum at Saint Anselm College to explain the Never Contract With the Enemy Act (S. 675), which she co-sponsored with Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).[29] She was accompanied by Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen. They addressed military contractor fraud and how to prevent funds paid to military contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq from winding up in the hands of parties hostile to the United States.[30]

U.S. Senate

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2010

[edit]
Main article: 2010 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

Ayotte resigned as attorney general on July 7, 2009, to explore a run for U.S. Senate in 2010.[31][32] The crowded Republican primary field included former congressional and gubernatorial candidate Ovide M. Lamontagne, businessman and owner of NH1 News William Harrison Binnie, and State Representative Tom Alciere. Ayotte had never run for office, but narrowly won the primary election on September 14, 2010.[31][33] In the general election, Ayotte defeated Democratic nominee U.S. Representative Paul Hodes, by a vote of 273,218 (60%) to 167,545 (37%).[34]

Endorsements

[edit]
Senator Ayotte speaking for 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

Ayotte was endorsed by John McCain, Sarah Palin, John Thune, Tom Coburn, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, and Rick Santorum.[35] According to one senior GOP aide, "The addition of a Republican woman from New England who's young, who's a mom … all of these things broaden the Republican party's appeal and say to different segments of the population, 'This party has folks in it that are just like you.'"[35]

2016

[edit]
Main article: 2016 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

In 2016, Ayotte ran for reelection to the U.S. Senate against Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire's sitting governor.[36]

In February 2016, the Koch Brothers-linked conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity announced that Ayotte was the lone vulnerable Republican U.S. Senator the group would not be supporting in 2016, due to Ayotte's support for the Clean Power Plan to combat climate change.[37]

On May 4, 2016, an Ayotte spokeswoman said Ayotte "intends to support the Republican nominee" for U.S. president but did not plan to make an endorsement.[38] In October 2016, after lewd sexual comments Republican nominee Donald Trump made in a 2005 video came to light, Ayotte said that as a mother and a former prosecutor who had worked with victims, she could no longer vote for Trump,[39] and would write in Mike Pence for president.[40]

Ayotte lost the election to Hassan by 1,017 votes.[41]

Endorsements

[edit]

Ayotte was endorsed by the New Hampshire Troopers' Association, the New England Narcotics Enforcement Officers' Association, and the Manchester Police Patrolmen's Association.[42] She was also endorsed by the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Nashua Telegraph, the Caledonian-Record, and the Portsmouth Herald. The Herald endorsement was notable as it had endorsed Ayotte's opponent, Maggie Hassan, in Hassan's prior runs for office.[43]

Tenure

[edit]

Jobs and the economy

[edit]

She helped include provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act to boost STEM education, particularly among girls and underrepresented minorities, and to support career and technical education in schools.[44][45]

Ayotte strongly opposed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's proposal to pass significant at-sea monitoring costs to New Hampshire's fishermen and brought NOAA officials to New Hampshire to hear from fishermen impacted.[46] NOAA later backed off from the proposal.[47]

National security

[edit]

Ayotte served on the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, and was widely regarded as a leader on national security and foreign policy.[48][49][50]

Ayotte led legislative efforts to keep suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay rather than closing that base and transferring them to U.S. soil.[51]

She has been an outspoken critic of the Iran nuclear deal, saying that Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world.[52] She proposed strict new sanctions on Iran.[53]

Ayotte was critical of the Obama administration's response to ISIS, and called for increased airstrikes against ISIS.[54]

Opiate and opioid response

[edit]

Ayotte was one of four senators, two Republicans and two Democrats, who introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, federal legislation to support local solutions and implement a comprehensive federal strategy to tackle the heroin and prescription opioid abuse epidemic.[55] The bill was structured around prevention, treatment, recovery, and support for first responders.

Ayotte also co-sponsored bills to better care for infants born addicted or in withdrawal and help expectant and new mothers struggling with addiction get treatment.[56][57] She backed successful efforts to better look after kids in schools who are struggling with addiction issues at home and to stop the flow of drugs across the southern border.[44][58]

College affordability

[edit]

Ayotte was a vocal proponent of reauthorizing the Perkins Loan program, as she argued roughly 5,000 New Hampshire students relied on it.[59]

Military and veterans issues

[edit]

Ayotte routinely included provisions in annual defense authorization bills that supported the work being done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pease Air National Guard Base, and by the New Hampshire National Guard. She is also strongly opposed to further rounds of the base realignment and closing commission.[60]

Ayotte included provisions in the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 to allow New Hampshire veterans to receive medical care closer to home.[61]

She was the only member of the New Hampshire delegation to vote against a budget proposal the singled out veterans' benefits for cuts.[62] She has offered and cosponsored legislation to give veterans access to cutting edge prosthetics, strengthen mental health services for veterans and their families, and improve the support system for military families.[63][64][65]

Fiscal policy and taxes

[edit]

Ayotte supported tax reform to simplify the tax code and lower rates. She has said she believes it would help bring back trillions of dollars parked overseas.[66]

In December 2015, Ayotte voted to suspend the Medical Device Tax, which she says threatens nearly 3,500 manufacturing jobs in New Hampshire.[67] She is also a leading opponent of the Internet sales tax.[68]

Ayotte supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and helped pass the Senate's first balanced budget in fourteen years.[69]

Ayotte offered a variety of legislation to eliminate wasteful spending and duplicate or unnecessary programs.[50]

Women and family policies

[edit]

Ayotte offered the Gender Advancement in Pay Act to implement New Hampshire's equal pay law at the federal level, as explained under in "Labor issues".[70]

Ayotte and Democratic New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen co-sponsored a bill to combat pregnancy discrimination in the workplace and ensure expectant mothers can continue working during their pregnancy.[71]

She offered and cosponsored legislation to make it easier for employers to offer flex-time to working parents and to expand access to affordable childcare.[72][73]

Legislation

[edit]

Ayotte sponsored 217 bills, including:[74]

112th Congress (2011–2012)

[edit]
  • S. 2320, a bill to treat Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Republic of the Philippines as a permanent military cemetery in a foreign country under the purview of the American Battle Monuments Commission, and to have the Commission restore and maintain the cemetery, introduced April 19, 2012. While this bill did not become law, an agreement has since been made between the U.S. and Philippine governments to do what the bill intended.[75]

113th Congress (2013–2014)

[edit]
  • S. 31, a bill to permanently ban state and local governments from imposing taxes on the access to the internet and on goods sold by means of the internet, introduced January 22, 2013.[76]
  • S. 263, a bill to prohibit federal agencies from hiring more than one employee for every three full-time employees who leave employment from that agency until the Office of Management and Budget determines that employment in that agency is at least 10% less than it was previously, and to prohibit members of Congress from receiving a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their pay in years in which the federal government has a budget deficit, introduced February 7, 2013.[77]
  • S. 1406, introduced July 31, 2013, a bill to permit the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations for the issuance of permits for people hired for the management of horse shows, exhibitions, auctions, and sales, requiring all such individuals to be qualified to identify instances of soring. Individuals receiving the permits must be cleared of any potential conflicts of interest and preference is to be given to accredited veterinarians. The bill further makes it a crime for any person to sell, auction, exhibit, or race any sore horse, and bans Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking horses, and Spotted Saddle horses from being sold, auctioned, exhibited, or raced if they are equipped with any action device (which the bill defines) or equipment that would alter the gait of the horse. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 1518.[78]
  • S. 1764, a bill to prohibit the Department of Defense from retiring the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II until a sufficient number of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs have been constructed to replace the existing A-10s, introduced November 21, 2013.[79]

Committee assignments (114th Congress)

[edit]
Senator Ayotte meets with junior officers of New Hampshire National Guard

Awards

[edit]

During her time in the Senate, Ayotte received a number of awards for her legislative activity from various civic organizations and interest groups, including the National Retail Federation,[80] CCAGW PAC,[81] the AARP,[82] Save the Children,[83] the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars,[84] the National Association of Police Organizations,[85] and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.[86]

Post-Senate career

[edit]

Ayotte has been named to several corporate boards of directors, including Caterpillar Inc., News Corp., BAE Systems, Boston Properties, Blink Health, Bloom Energy, and Blackstone Group.[87]

2024 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

[edit]
Main article: 2024 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

After Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire announced he would be retiring at the end of his term in 2024, Ayotte announced her intention to run for governor.[88]

Political positions

[edit]
Senator Ayotte speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

During her U.S. Senate term, Ayotte was described as both a conservative Republican and a centrist.[89][90][91] After her 2010 election, the Associated Press referred to Ayotte as "a conservative Republican",[92] and two years later NBC News described her "unique identity in the Senate as a Northeastern conservative Republican woman."[93] She demonstrated centrist tendencies in her voting record, including working with Democrats on some issues.[94][95][96] The New York Times described her as a moderate Republican.[97] The Lugar Center at Georgetown University ranked Ayotte as the 11th most bipartisan member of the U.S. Senate during the 113th Congress.[98] The American Conservative Union gave her a 64% lifetime score and the progressive Americans for Democratic Action gave her a 35% score; the nonpartisan National Journal gave her a composite score of 67% conservative and 33% liberal based on her voting record.[99]

During her gubernatorial campaign, Ayotte expressed fiscally conservative positions, using the slogan "Don't Mass it up" to contrast her views "against more liberal Massachusetts to the south."[100][101] She identified herself as a "strong conservative" while adding she would continue Chris Sununu's legacy.[102] Addressing voters after her successful election for Governor, she told voters who did not vote for her that she would be open to bipartisan cooperation.[103]

Donald Trump

[edit]

Ayotte initially backed Donald Trump's 2016 presidential bid before rescinding her endorsement prior to the election. She endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential bid.[104][105]

Immigration policy

[edit]

Ayotte voted for the comprehensive immigration reform bill (the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013) brought forward by the bipartisan Gang of Eight, calling it a "a thoughtful, bipartisan solution to a tough problem."[106][107] In 2024, Ayotte retracted that support for a pathway to citizenship for immigrants.[108] She has been a vocal critic of the practice of sanctuary cities and voted to withhold federal funding from municipalities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.[109] She also announced in a debate that she supports a task force to patrol the northern US-Canada border.[110]

Ayotte did not support Hillary Clinton's proposal to bring an additional 65,000 Syrian refugees to the United States, unless stricter vetting was implemented to "guarantee to the American people that none of the individuals that are being brought to the United States have any connections to ISIS."[111]

Economic policy

[edit]

Minimum wage

[edit]

Ayotte opposes increasing the minimum wage,[112] and opposes federal legislation to index the minimum wage to inflation, reflecting adjustments in the cost of living.[113] Ayotte said she supports the current federal minimum wage, but that "each state should decide what is best" when it comes to raising it.[114]

Social Security

[edit]

In 2010, Ayotte said she was open to raising the Social Security retirement age for younger workers in an effort to avoid long-term insolvency, but does not support changes for people at or near retirement.[113][115]

Labor issues

[edit]

Ayotte opposed passage of the Employee Free Choice Act ("Card Check"), which would have amended the National Labor Relations Act to allow employees to unionize whenever the National Labor Relations Board verified that 50% of the employees had signed authorization cards, therefore bypassing a secret ballot election.[116]

In April 2014, the Senate debated the Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill would have punished employers for retaliating against workers who share wage information and put the justification burden on employers as to why someone is paid less while allowing workers to sue for punitive damages of wage discrimination.[117] Ayotte said that one of her reasons for voting against ending debate on the bill was that Majority Leader Harry Reid had refused to allow votes on any of the amendments that Republicans had suggested for the bill.[117] Ayotte went on to offer her own equal pay bill, the Gender Advancement in Pay Act, which would implement New Hampshire's equal pay law at the federal level, but "a little stronger in its anti-retaliation provision because it explicitly addresses written policies."[70]

Ayotte voted in April 2014 to extend federal funding for unemployment benefits. Federal funding had been initiated in 2008 and expired at the end of 2013.[118]

In March 2015, Ayotte voted for an amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to allow employees to earn paid sick time.[119] Ayotte also offered a bill to give private sector employers the statutory authority to offer optional flex-time.[72]

Fiscal policy (taxes and spending)

[edit]

Ayotte favors passage of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[120] She has advocated for such a constitutional amendment as a member of the Senate Budget Committee.[121]

In 2010, Ayotte criticized the 2008 bailouts, saying "I wouldn't have supported the TARP or the bailouts... I do not think we should have bailed out the private sector."[122]

Ayotte has called for federal budget cuts to reduce the federal debt and deficits, proposing in 2010 that every government department cut its budget by 20 percent from current levels, though "some may cut more, some may cut less."[122]

Ayotte favors the permanent repeal of the estate tax and has co-sponsored legislation to repeal the tax.[123][124]

During the standoff over increasing the national debt limit in 2011, Ayotte pushed for greater cuts in government spending and voted against the eventual deal.[121]

Ayotte has pushed to end congressional earmarks, and has co-sponsored legislation that would permanently ban the practice.[125]

Financial regulation

[edit]

Ayotte opposed the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Ayotte said that the legislation failed to directly address problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that the Act imposed additional regulatory burdens on community banks.[126]

Climate and energy

[edit]

In 2010, when asked about climate change, Ayotte acknowledged that "there is scientific evidence that demonstrates there is some impact from human activities" but stated that "I don't think the evidence is conclusive."[122][127] She opposed both a cap-and-trade system and a carbon tax to reduce carbon emissions.[122] In 2011, she voted to limit the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.[128] In 2012, Ayotte voted with four other Republican senators to defeat a proposal to block the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating the first federal standards regulating air pollution from power plants.[121] In 2013, she voted for a point of order opposing a carbon tax or a fee on carbon emissions.[129]

Ayotte was one of two Republican senators to vote against a Republican measure, introduced by Roy Blunt, that sought to block President Obama from negotiating an international agreement on climate change. She voted to fast-track approval for the Keystone XL pipeline project.[127]

In October 2015, Ayotte became the first congressional Republican to endorse a measure by President Barack Obama dubbed the Clean Power Plan, a measure that would seek a 32 percent cut in the power sector's carbon emissions.[130][131][132] That same year she was one of five Republican senators to vote to pass a non-binding amendment stating that "climate change is real and human activity significantly contributes to climate change."[131][132]

Health care

[edit]

Ayotte favors repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare),[133] and has repeatedly voted to repeal the ACA.[134] She has described the ACA as a "success tax" on successful businesses,[135] and says that the ACA drives up the costs of health care.[136] In November 2013, amid growing concerns over the launch of HealthCare.gov, particularly relating to delays associated with initial online signups for health coverage, Ayotte called for a "time-out" on the Affordable Care Act suggesting instead to "convene a group of bipartisan leaders to address health care concerns in this country because this is not working."[137]

Ayotte supports state-administered healthcare programs such as SCHIP and federal tax credits that serve to reduce the number of uninsured.[138]

Ayotte was given the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Congressional Award in recognition of her support for increasing mental health resources.[139]

Ayotte advocated for passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which is intended to address opioid abuse. The bill would increase funding for treatment of addiction and allow nurses and physician assistants to treat substance use disorder with medication, which Ayotte says would increase the treatment options available.[140]

Judiciary

[edit]

Ayotte joined with the rest of the Senate Republicans in refusing to hold a hearing on the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.[141][142]

Social issues

[edit]

Abortion and reproductive rights

[edit]

In 2024, Ayotte said she supports the current New Hampshire abortion law, which permits abortion on request until 24 weeks of pregnancy.[143] She further said she would veto any legislation to restrict abortion during the first 24 weeks.[144] Previously, she said she was pro-life except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother.[145] She said in 2010 that Roe v. Wade should be overturned.[146][147] In 2014, she led a Republican effort to call for a vote on a bill to implement a 20-week nationwide abortion ban.[148] However, in 2024, during the gubernatorial campaign, she reversed her prior position, now saying she opposes federal restrictions on abortion.[110] Ayotte said that she supports access to In-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.[149] She opposes state funding for Planned Parenthood.[150]

While in the Senate, Ayotte offered legislation to make birth control available over-the-counter without a prescription, which she argued would increase access and allow flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to be used to purchase it.[151] She voted to shift federal funding from Planned Parenthood to other community health centers that also serve low- and middle-income women and families, but opposed an attempt to shut down the federal government over the issue.[152][153] For 2016, Ayotte was given a 100% rating by National Right to Life and an 82% by the pro-life Campaign for Working Families.[99] For 2016, NARAL Pro-Choice America gave her a 15% rating and pro-choice Planned Parenthood gave her a 6% rating.[99]

Same-sex marriage and LGBT rights

[edit]

Speaking about gay marriage, Ayotte said in 2010: "Ultimately I do think this is a matter for the states and states should decide how to define marriage. New Hampshire's already made that decision and I respect the decision."[154] In 2015, Ayotte was one of eleven U.S. Senate Republicans who voted to extend Social Security and veterans' benefits to all legally married same-sex couples.[155] In November 2013, Ayotte was one of 10 Senate Republicans who voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act,[156] which passed by a vote of 64–32. Human Rights Campaign, which supports same-sex marriage and other gay rights, gave Ayotte an 80% rating.[99]

Running for Governor in 2024, Ayotte said she opposes laws that keep a student's gender identity confidential, arguing that she supports laws requiring schools to inform parents about a student's gender identity at school.[157]

Violence Against Women Act

[edit]

Ayotte voted for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2012.[158] In 2014, Ayotte and Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill led passage of a bill to reform the way the military handles sexual assaults, increase prosecutions, and improve support for survivors.[159][160] In 2015, Ayotte and New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act to combat sexual assault on college campuses and better support survivors.[161]

Gun policy

[edit]

Ayotte supported the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in McDonald v. City of Chicago and District of Columbia v. Heller, which invalidated strict gun laws in Chicago and Washington.[116] In 2006, Ayotte opposed a Republican-backed bill to establish a castle doctrine for New Hampshire.[162]

In 2013, Ayotte opposed legislation offered by Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey to mandate background checks for all commercial gun sales.[163] As part of the debate over Manchin-Toomey, Ayotte voted for an amendment which would have increased access to mental health records for background checks and provided funding to prosecute background check violations. The amendment did not pass.[164]

In June 2016, Ayotte voted against an amendment offered by Senator Chris Murphy which would have required background checks for gun sales at gun shows, over the internet, and between friends and family. She voted for an amendment to increase funding for the background check system and enhance the definition of "mental competency" for purchasing firearms. She also voted for two amendments to block or delay the sale of firearms to known or suspected terrorists. All four amendments failed.[164]

While in the Senate, Ayotte supported proposed compromises on contentious gun legislation. She was part of a bipartisan group of eight senators who supported compromise legislation to close the "No Fly, No Buy" loophole and ensure people on the No Fly list are not able to purchase firearms.[165][166][167]

Foreign policy

[edit]
Senator Ayotte speaking at the 2016 FITN (First in the Nation) Town Hall hosted by the New Hampshire Republican Party

Ayotte chaired the Senate Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and was a leading voice in the hawkish wing of the Senate Republican Conference.[168][169][170][171][172]

She opposed the Iran nuclear deal and has called for strict new sanctions on Iran.[170] Ayotte has also backed new sanctions on North Korea in the wake of purported nuclear tests and has called for a tougher stance with Russia.[173][174]

Israeli–Palestinian conflict

[edit]

In October 2014, Ayotte wrote an op-ed in The Hill criticizing Mahmoud Abbas, writing that the Palestinian Authority president "has embarked on a destructive course harmful to the prospects for rebuilding Gaza and achieving Israeli–Palestinian peace."[175]

Defense spending

[edit]

In October 2011, Ayotte sponsored a bill with Senator John McCain to control costs associated with major defense acquisition programs.[121] Ayotte opposes the Defense Department's wishes to retire the U.S.'s fleet of Cold War-era A-10 Thunderbolt II jets and redirect those funds elsewhere. Ayotte argues that there is no adequate replacement for the plane and citing her husband's experiences flying the A-10 while in the Air Force.[176]

Iraq, Syria, and ISIL

[edit]

Ayotte has criticized President Obama for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011.[177]

In July 2016, Ayotte released a comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS, including a "more aggressive" campaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.[177]

Guantanamo Bay prisoners

[edit]

Ayotte fought attempts by the Obama administration to try terrorism suspects in civilian federal courts.[121] She opposed the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and introduced a bill in the Senate that would block the closure of the prison and ban any transfer of detainees to the United States.[178]

Ayotte criticized the August 2015 transfer of 15 prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying that she believed the released prisoners had dangerous ties to terrorism and would return to terrorist activity. She said that the Pentagon told her in 2015 that 93 percent of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay were considered "high risk" for returning to terrorist activities.[179][180]

Ayotte authored and released an unclassified report that summarized information about the 107 original detainees at Guantanamo Bay, including the detainees' affiliations and terrorist activities prior to their detention. Ayotte has pushed for the Pentagon to publicly disclose more details about the detainees; the Pentagon currently releases only detainees' names and countries where they are transferred.[180]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2001, Ayotte married Joseph Daley, an Iraq War veteran and former A-10 pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq.[181] Daley is retired from the Air National Guard and owns a small landscaping and snow plow business in Merrimack.[182] Ayotte is Catholic.[183] She and Daley have two children.[184]

Electoral history

[edit]
U.S. Senate Republican primary election in New Hampshire, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % +%
Republican Kelly Ayotte 53,056 38.21%
Republican Ovide Lamontagne 51,397 37.01%
Republican Bill Binnie 19,508 14.05%
Republican Jim Bender 12,611 9.08%
Republican Dennis Lamare 1,388 1.00%
Republican Tom Alciere 499 0.36%
Republican Gerard Beloin 402 0.29%
U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % +%
Republican Kelly Ayotte 273,210 60.09%
Democratic Paul Hodes 167,545 36.85%
Independent Chris Booth 9,194 2.02%
Libertarian Ken Blevens 4,753 1.05%
U.S. Senate election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maggie Hassan 354,268 48.2%
Republican Kelly Ayotte (incumbent) 353,525 48.1%
Independent Aaron Day 17,702 2%
Libertarian Brian Chabot 12,988 1.7%

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ David Axelrod (May 3, 2018). "The Axe Files with David Axelrod, "Episode 239 – Kelly Ayotte"" (Podcast). University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN. Event occurs at 15:30. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  2. ^ Bowers, Andy (November 30, 2005). "Plessy, Miranda, Roe, and Ayotte?". Slate. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Bendery, Jennifer (July 29, 2012). "Kelly Ayotte: 'It's An Honor To Be Mentioned' As Potential Mitt Romney VP (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. ^ Rogers, Josh (August 4, 2012). "Ayotte Would Add Youth, Conservatism As VP Choice". NPR. New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "2016 General Election Information and Results". New Hampshire Secretary of State Elections Division. November 8, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  6. ^ "Ayotte to lead White House team shepherding Supreme Court nominee". New Hampshire Union-Leader. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  7. ^ "Republican ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte beats Democrat Joyce Craig in New Hampshire governor's race". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte - R New Hampshire, Defeated - 83rd Governor of New Hampshire - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  9. ^ Besant, Alexander (August 27, 2012). "Republican stalwart Kelly Ayotte to speak at RNC on Tuesday". GlobalPost.
  10. ^ Printing, Joint Committee on (May 2, 2014). Official Congressional Directory: 113th Congress. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-16-091922-0 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Greeks in the 113th Congress". North American Interfraternity Conference. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  12. ^ "Kelly Ayotte Biography". Biography Channel. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  13. ^ "Kelly A. Ayotte (NH)". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  14. ^ Stylianos, Joan (June 6, 2016). "The Heart of Nashua: Sen. Kelly Ayotte is exactly where she wants to be". New Hampshire Union-Leader. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016.
  15. ^ Cullen, Fergus (March 27, 2010). "Kelly Ayotte's rise combines merit and preparation". New Hampshire Union-Leader. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010.
  16. ^ "Looking at the law with Kelly Ayotte". New Hampshire Business Review. September 17, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  17. ^ Owens, Jennifer (July 25, 2016). "Mom to Mom On the Issues: An Interview with Senators Ayotte & Gillibrand". Working Mother. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016.
  18. ^ "New York v. EPA: State Response to a Federal Regulatory Rollback". Ecology Law Quarterly. 33.
  19. ^ a b "413 F.3d 3 (D.C. Cir. 2005)". June 24, 2005.
  20. ^ Zezima, Katie (November 19, 2008). "Jury issues first death sentence in New Hampshire since the 1950s". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ayotte Ad Features Family Of Michael Briggs". WMUR. August 4, 2010. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  22. ^ Schoenberg, Shira (August 5, 2010). "Briggs family in Ayotte ad". Concord Monitor.
  23. ^ Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of N. New England. Law.cornell.edu. Retrieved on November 13, 2010.
  24. ^ Dandurant, Karen (September 4, 2008). "Planned Parenthood to have attorney's fees paid". Seacoastonline.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Dandurant, Karen (September 4, 2008). "Planned Parenthood to have attorney's fees paid". Seacoastonline.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  26. ^ "In '09, Ayotte OK’d settling abortion case", Nashua Telegraph, September 3, 2010.
  27. ^ "New Hampshire Institute of Politics: Saint Anselm College". Anselm.edu. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  28. ^ LeBlanc, Barbara. "U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte Speaks to Politics Students". Saint Anselm College: New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  29. ^ "Ayotte, Blumenthal Introduce "Never Contract with the Enemy" Bill". Office of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  30. ^ "Ayotte calls for tighter controls on spending in Afghanistan". WMUR-TV. May 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Tirrell, David (July 7, 2009). "Ayotte to resign as AG to explore race for US Senate". Seacoast Online. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  32. ^ Ovide Lamontagne to raise funds for rival – Shira Toeplitz. Politico. Retrieved on November 13, 2010.
  33. ^ "Election Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2017.
  34. ^ "Election 2010 New Hampshire". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  35. ^ a b "GOP Has Plans for Ayotte if She Wins". Roll Call. October 18, 2010.
  36. ^ Tuohy, Dan (October 6, 2015). "Ayotte, Hassan draw election battle lines". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  37. ^ DiStaso, John (February 18, 2016). "New Hampshire Primary Source: Kelly Ayotte not worried about rejection by Koch brothers group". WMUR. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  38. ^ DiStaso, John (May 4, 2016). "Updated WMUR first: After Trump win, Ayotte 'plans to support' him, spokeswoman says". WMUR. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  39. ^ Couisneau, Michael (October 9, 2016). "Ayotte says speaking out on Trump more important than winning election". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  40. ^ Scott, Eugene. "Crapo, Ayotte pull support for Trump". CNN. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  41. ^ "United States Senate - 2016 General Election". December 24, 2016. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  42. ^ "NH Troopers Association among 3 police unions endorsing Ayotte". New Hampshire Union Leader. October 19, 2016. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  43. ^ "Hassan is best for N.H." Portsmouth Herald. October 14, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "New education law wins bipartisan praise". New Hampshire Union Leader. December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  45. ^ "Ayotte sees Londonderry school success in action". Eagle-Tribune. August 29, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  46. ^ "Ayotte, fishermen meet with federal officials". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  47. ^ "Ayotte lauds NOAA decision to reimburse fishermen". New Boston Post. June 23, 2016.
  48. ^ "Re-elect Kelly Ayotte to U.S. Senate". Portsmouth Herald. October 24, 2016.
  49. ^ "Ayotte for Senate: NH's independent leadership". Union Leader. October 22, 2016. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  50. ^ a b "It's Kelly Ayotte for U.S. Senate". Nashua Telegraph. October 23, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  51. ^ "Ayotte report details terrorist activities, affiliations of Guantanamo Bay detainees". Ripon Advance. August 15, 2016.
  52. ^ "State Department report finds Iran is top state sponsor of terror". CNN. June 2, 2016.
  53. ^ "Senate GOP ties Iran sanctions fight to defense bill". The Hill. May 25, 2016.
  54. ^ "Kelly Ayotte calls for increased airstrikes against ISIS". Concord Monitor. July 11, 2016.
  55. ^ "Federal fight vs. opioid addiction to take a big step". Union Leader. July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  56. ^ "Protecting Our Infants Act". March 19, 2015.
  57. ^ "Second Chance Reauthorization Act". November 13, 2013.
  58. ^ "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program". Office of National Drug Control Policy. October 13, 2016 – via National Archives.
  59. ^ Forbes, Tina (December 21, 2015). "Congress passes an extension to expired program". Nashua Telegraph. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  60. ^ Early, Brian (May 9, 2016). "Ayotte speaks out against BRAC discussions". Portsmouth Herald. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  61. ^ Alden, Doug (October 16, 2015). "U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte and Jeanne Shaheen speak with veterans regarding the Veterans Choice Card program in Manchester". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  62. ^ "Roll Call Vote 209". September 27, 2013.
  63. ^ FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.
  64. ^ "Joining Forces for Military Mental Health Act". August 1, 2011.
  65. ^ "Caring for America's Heroes Act". May 1, 2014.
  66. ^ Garofolo, Chris (March 30, 2016). "Ayotte calls for tax reform in Milford". Nashua Telegraph.
  67. ^ Okun, Eli (July 10, 2016). "Medical device tax affects small businesses". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  68. ^ Solomon, Dave (February 16, 2016). "Shaheen, Ayotte vow to fight sales tax on Internet transactions". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  69. ^ "Senator Kelly Ayotte Pushes Balanced Budget Amendment". New Hampshire Public Radio. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  70. ^ a b "A Republican Senator Just Offered A Serious Idea for Combating the Gender Wage Gap". ThinkProgress. September 23, 2015.
  71. ^ "Ayotte, Shaheen sponsor bill to protect pregnant workers". Concord Monitor. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  72. ^ a b "Senate Republicans Offer Their Own Paid Family Leave Proposal". U.S. News & World Report. March 24, 2015.
  73. ^ "Ayotte Tours YMCA". Foster's Daily Democrat. July 29, 2016.
  74. ^ "Senator Ayotte's Legislation". congress.gov. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  75. ^ "U.S. and Philippine governments reach agreement on Clark Veterans Cemetery". December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  76. ^ Callahan, Kathleen (February 1, 2013). "Ayotte measure seeks to make Internet tax ban permanent". New Hampshire Business Review. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  77. ^ "HOUSE AND SENATE INTRODUCE BILL CALLING FOR CUTS TO FEDS". Federal Managers Association. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  78. ^ Barton, Paul (April 10, 2014). "GOP-sponsored horse soring bill advances in Senate". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  79. ^ Wong, Kristina (May 5, 2015). "GOP senators vow to keep A-10 flying". The Hill. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  80. ^ "NH Retailers Honor Ayotte as 'Hero of Main Street'". Votesmart.org. Vote Smart. July 30, 2015.
  81. ^ "CCAGW PAC Endorses Sen. Kelly Ayotte". Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee. October 13, 2016.
  82. ^ "AARP Gives "Champion of the 50+" Award to Senator Ayotte" (Press release). AARP. August 18, 2016.
  83. ^ "Ayotte, Collins awarded as Champions for Children". Foster's Daily Democrat. March 21, 2013.
  84. ^ "Ayotte Honored for Work on Behalf of Veterans, Marines". June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  85. ^ "National Association of Police Orders Presents Legislative Award to Senator Ayotte" (Press release). National Association of Police Organizations. June 16, 2015.
  86. ^ "Senators Kelly Ayotte and Tim Kaine Receive Appalachian Trail Conservancy Congressional Award" (Press release). July 17, 2015.
  87. ^ "Former Senator Ayotte to Join Blackstone Group Board". Directors and Boards. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  88. ^ "Former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte launches Republican bid for governor | Fox News". www.foxnews.com.
  89. ^ "Kelly Ayotte on the Issues". OnTheIssues. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  90. ^ "Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R)". InsideGov. insidegov.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  91. ^ Drusch, Andrea (November 19, 2015). "Why It's Not Easy Being Kelly Ayotte". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  92. ^ Staff (November 1, 2010). "New Hampshire election results 2010: Ayotte beats Hodes, Lynch secures governorship from Stephen". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  93. ^ Curry, Tom. "Searching for Benghazi answers, Ayotte rises to starring GOP role". NBC News. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  94. ^ Snell, Kelsey. "Ayotte is Party of One in her 2016 New Hampshire reelection bid". The Washington Post. No. 9 November 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  95. ^ "Why It's Not Easy Being Kelly Ayotte". National Journal. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  96. ^ Cama, Timothy (July 6, 2015). "GOP climate activist gives $500K to senator's campaign". The Hill. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  97. ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (March 28, 2016). "Tough Re-election for G.O.P. Moderate Is Getting Tougher". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  98. ^ "Our Work: The Lugar Center".
  99. ^ a b c d "Kelly Ayotte's Ratings and Endorsements". votesmart.org.
  100. ^ "Republican ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte beats Democrat Joyce Craig in New Hampshire governor's race". www.wbur.org. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  101. ^ "Why is Massachusetts taking hits in the New Hampshire governor's race?". www.wbur.org. June 17, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  102. ^ "On the trail: Ayotte fires back at Morse over conservative credentials". Concord Monitor. June 14, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  103. ^ "Republican ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte beats Democrat Joyce Craig in New Hampshire governor's race". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  104. ^ Sexton, Adam (April 26, 2024). "Ayotte, who unendorsed Trump in 2016, now says he's right choice for White House". WMUR. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  105. ^ Marquez, Alexandra (May 4, 2024). "A rising Republican lost her seat in the Trump era. Now she's trying a comeback". NBC News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  106. ^ Kevin Liptak, Ayotte backs 'Gang of 8' immigration plan, CNN, June 9, 2013.
  107. ^ Jonathan Topaz, [1], Politico, June 9, 2013.
  108. ^ Sexton, Adam (April 26, 2024). "Ayotte, who unendorsed Trump in 2016, now says he's right choice for White House". WMUR. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  109. ^ DiStaso, John (October 20, 2015). "Ayotte, Shaheen on opposite sides of anti-sanctuary cities bill". WMUR.
  110. ^ a b Enstrom, Kirk (October 31, 2024). "Candidates for New Hampshire governor clash on abortion, homelessness, immigration". WMUR. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  111. ^ Kaplan, Rebecca (September 20, 2015). "Hillary Clinton: U.S. should take 65,000 Syrian refugees". CBS news.
  112. ^ Love, Norma. (September 22, 2010) NH senate candidates face off in radio forum, BusinessWeek.com; retrieved November 13, 2010.
  113. ^ a b "Foes Hodes, Ayotte face off in 1st debate", Nashua Telegraph, September 23, 2010
  114. ^ DiStaso, John (September 14, 2016). "Minimum wage splits candidates along party lines". WMUR.
  115. ^ "Candidate Guide". Pre-Election Bios. Associated Press. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  116. ^ a b Vanderborg, Carey (April 30, 2012). "Who Is Kelly Ayotte? 10 Things To Know About Mitt Romney's Potential Running Mate". International Business Times. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  117. ^ a b Ramsey Cox; Alexander Bolton (April 9, 2014). "Senate GOP blocks paycheck bill". The Hill. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  118. ^ Lowery, Wesley (April 7, 2014). "Senate passes extension to unemployment insurance, bill heads to House". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  119. ^ Sullivan, Sean (March 27, 2015). "Senate passes budget after lengthy, politically charged 'Vote-a-rama'". Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  120. ^ Senator Kelly Ayotte Pushes Balanced Budget Amendment Archived September 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Hampshire Public Radio.
  121. ^ a b c d e Almanac of American Politics 2014, p. 1060.
  122. ^ a b c d Deborah McDermott (September 30, 2010). "Ayotte wants budget cuts". Portsmouth Herald.
  123. ^ On Tax Day, Ayotte Continues Fight for NH Taxpayers Archived September 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (press release), Office of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (April 15, 2016).
  124. ^ Ayotte: Small Business Week Highlights Need for Action on Jobs Archived September 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (press release), Office of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (May 15, 2014).
  125. ^ Ayotte making push to end congressional earmarks Archived September 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Hampshire Union Leader (May 8, 2014).
  126. ^ Senate candidates square off (pg. 2), Concord Monitor; retrieved November 13, 2010.
  127. ^ a b Rebecca Lebel, Kelly Ayotte Is the Senate's Most Surprising Environmentalist, New Republic (February 5, 2015).
  128. ^ U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress – 1st Session, Vote Number 54, 2011-04-06. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00054
  129. ^ U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 1st Session, Vote Number 59, 2013-03-22. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00059
  130. ^ Snell, Kelsey (November 9, 2015). "Ayotte is Party of One in her 2016 New Hampshire reelection bid". Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  131. ^ a b Sheppard, Kate (October 27, 2015). "Meet the Republican Senator Who Wants to Fight Global Warming". Mother Jones. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  132. ^ a b Timothy Cama (October 26, 2015). "Vulnerable GOP senator backs Obama's climate rule". The Hill. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  133. ^ "Ayotte: O-Care repeal 'not going to happen'". The Hill. 2013.
  134. ^ "New Hampshire's other smackdown". Politico. 2016.
  135. ^ "Remarks by New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte at the Republican National Convention". Deseret News. August 29, 2012.
  136. ^ "Maggie Hassan Declares Victory Over Kelly Ayotte In New Hampshire Senate Race". HuffPost. November 9, 2016.
  137. ^ Lambert, Lisa (November 3, 2013). "Kelly Ayotte Calls For Obamacare 'Time-Out'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  138. ^ John Distatso (September 28, 2009). "Ayotte testing political waters, wants neutral legacy". The Union Leader. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  139. ^ "Senator Ayotte Recognized for Mental Health First Aid Act". WNTK. July 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  140. ^ "Ayotte: Opioid Bill Would Mean More And Better Treatment In N.H." NHPR. July 14, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  141. ^ Greg Sargent, Democrats may be winning the political fight over Merrick Garland. But will Republicans care?, Washington Post (April 21, 2016).
  142. ^ Dan Tuohy, Ayotte meets with Obama's Supreme Court nominee Archived September 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Hampshire Union Leader (April 13, 2016).
  143. ^ Sexton, Adam (April 14, 2024). Kelly Ayotte responds to unified attack on abortion issue | CloseUp. Retrieved June 17, 2024 – via www.wmur.com.
  144. ^ Sexton, Adam (October 25, 2024). "Kelly Ayotte, Joyce Craig address stances on abortion issue as election nears". WMUR. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  145. ^ Shira Schoenberg (August 12, 2009). "Ayotte stresses security". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009.
  146. ^ "Candidates woo voters at debate - NashuaTelegraph.com". April 27, 2016. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016.
  147. ^ "Planned Parenthood aims at Ayotte". Politico. 2016.
  148. ^ "GOP senators demand vote on banning abortions after 20 weeks". The Hill. 2014.
  149. ^ "The New Hampshire governor's race gets personal on reproductive issues". www.wbur.org. October 24, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  150. ^ DeWitt, Ethan (September 19, 2023). "Governor's race 2024: Here's where the four candidates stand on the issues • New Hampshire Bulletin". New Hampshire Bulletin. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  151. ^ "Ayotte offers free condoms to promote bill". New Hampshire Union Leader. October 3, 2016. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  152. ^ McMenemy, Jeff (October 6, 2015). "Hassan slams Ayotte on Planned Parenthood funding". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  153. ^ Dwyer, Devin (September 13, 2010). "New Hampshire GOP Senate Primary Tests Sarah Palin, Tea Party". ABC News. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  154. ^ Sullivan, Sean (June 19, 2013). "Who will be the next Republican senator to embrace gay marriage?". Washington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  155. ^ Snow, Justin (March 27, 2015). "11 Senate Republicans vote to extend benefits to same-sex couples". Metro Weekly. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  156. ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress - 1st Session".
  157. ^ Sexton, Adam (September 4, 2024). 2024 debate between NH GOP candidates for governor: Policy regarding students' gender statuses. Retrieved November 15, 2024 – via www.wmur.com.
  158. ^ Bendery, Jennifer (April 26, 2012). "Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Overwhelmingly Passes Senate". Huffington Post.
  159. ^ Newton-Small, Jay (March 10, 2014). "McCaskill Set to Win the Battle on Sexual Assault in the Military". Time.
  160. ^ Brown, Jeffrey (August 1, 2013). "Sens. McCaskill, Ayotte: Keep Military Sexual Assault Cases in Chain of Command". PBS Newshour.
  161. ^ DiStaso, John (April 22, 2016). "Ayotte pushes for passage of campus sexual assault bill". WMUR.
  162. ^ Berry, Jake. "New Hampshire Sens. Ayotte and Shaheen non-specific about their stance on gun control". Nashua Telegraph. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  163. ^ Welna, David (May 3, 2013). "Gun Background Vote Causes Heat At Home For N.H. Sen. Ayotte". NPR. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  164. ^ a b Morris, Allie (June 21, 2016). "Maggie Hassan says Kelly Ayotte voted against expanding gun background checks, twice". PolitiFact. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  165. ^ Rogers, Josh (June 20, 2016). "Ayotte Supports 'No Fly, No Buy' Gun Bill". New Hampshire Public Radio.
  166. ^ Joseph, Cameron (June 21, 2016). "Senate works toward compromise on 'no fly, no buy' gun-control measure". New York Daily News.
  167. ^ Morris, Allie (June 21, 2016). "As Kelly Ayotte supports gun ban for no-fly list, Democrats accuse her of political maneuvering". Concord Monitor.
  168. ^ Houghton, Kimberly (July 11, 2016). "Sen. Ayotte outlines her plan to defeat ISIS". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  169. ^ Rubin, Jennifer (March 20, 2016). "Distinguished pols of the week". Washington Post.
  170. ^ a b "The U.S. Senate Takes on Iran". The Wall Street Journal. March 21, 2016.
  171. ^ Steinhauser, Paul (May 23, 2016). "First on NH1 News: Video slams Hassan over lack of 'straight answers'". NH1 News.
  172. ^ Morris, Allie (April 17, 2016). "On foreign policy, Hassan and Ayotte jostle for authority". Concord Monitor.
  173. ^ Carney, Jordain (January 6, 2016). "Senators eye sanctions after North Korea's claimed nuclear test". The Hill.
  174. ^ Hicks, Josh (February 23, 2014). "Ayotte says Russia reset has failed". Washington Post.
  175. ^ Kelly Ayotte, Abbas and the path to peace, The Hill (October 2014).
  176. ^ Bryan Bender, Kelly Ayotte thwarting effort to retire old Air Force jet, Boston Globe (July 31, 2012).
  177. ^ a b Allie Morris, Kelly Ayotte calls for increased airstrikes against ISIS, Concord Monitor (July 11, 2016).
  178. ^ "Ayotte report details terrorist activities, affiliations of Guantanamo Bay detainees". Ripon Advance. August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  179. ^ "Ayotte: Gitmo Detainees Have Dangerous Terrorist Ties" (Press release). Office of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  180. ^ a b Deb Riechmann, New report will fuel debate over closing Guantanamo prison Archived August 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press (August 10, 2016).
  181. ^ Bender, Bryan (October 23, 2014). "Kelly Ayotte thwarting effort to retire old Air Force jet". Boston Globe. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  182. ^ DiStaso, John (August 12, 2016). "Ayotte says she's an independent problem-solver, ready to work with new president". WMUR.
  183. ^ Wormald, Benjamin (January 5, 2015). "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations".
  184. ^ Kim, Mallie Jane (September 27, 2010). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Kelly Ayotte". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kelly Ayotte.
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of New Hampshire
2004–2009 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
(Class 3)
2010, 2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of New Hampshire
2024 		Most recent
U.S. Senate
Preceded by United States Senator (Class 3) from New Hampshire
2011–2017
Served alongside: Jeanne Shaheen 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of New Hampshire
Taking office 2025 		Elect
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Senator Order of precedence of the United States Succeeded byas Former US Senator
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelly_Ayotte&oldid=1259077448"