Craig, Ayotte headed to General Election for NH governor

Democrat Joyce Craig and Republican Kelly Ayotte secured their parties’ nomination for New Hampshire governor on Tuesday and advanced to the Nov. 5 general election.

After The Associated Press called the Democratic primary race about 10 p.m., Craig’s opponent, Cinde Warmington, quickly congratulated her.

“While we didn’t get the results we wanted tonight, I am so proud of the campaign we ran and I’m grateful for the support we earned across the Granite State,” said Warmington, of Concord.

“I’m proud that we stood up to make housing more affordable for every New Hampshire family, to [N.H. Education Commissioner] Frank Edelblut and his assault on our public schools, to get rid of out of state trash and stop the garbage coming into our state, and you better believe that I am proud of our fight to protect reproductive freedom.”

Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, had 40,098 votes, or 48.5 percent, to 34,220, or 41.4 percent, for Warmington, a N.H. executive councilor, at 10:15 p.m., according to AP results.

Ayotte of Nashua, formerly a New Hampshire attorney general and U.S. senator, easily defeated Chuck Morse, a former N.H. Senate president from Salem, in the Republican primary for governor.

Four-term Republican Gov. Chris Sununu decided not to seek reelection.

“Tonight demonstrates that we are unified as a party and we have the momentum to win in November. Together, we will keep New Hampshire on the Sununu path,” Ayotte said in a written statement.

“After eight years under Governor Sununu’s leadership, New Hampshire is the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. I will keep our state moving in the right direction and will work to ensure our future is even brighter. As Governor, I will fight every day to keep our wonderful state safe, prosperous and free.”

In the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District, which includes the Monadnock Region, Maggie Goodlander trounced Colin Van Ostern.

She advances to a general election race to succeed six-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster of Hopkinton, who did not seek reelection.

Lily Tang Williams of Weare won the Republican nomination in a crowded field of candidates, per AP results. A native of China, she has performed consulting and expert witness services in business and legal cases related to that country. She and her husband also own and manage residential real estate properties.

Goodlander thanked voters.

“It is the honor of my lifetime to be elected as our Democratic nominee for Congress in New Hampshire’s 2nd District,” Goodlander said in a written statement.

“With so much on the line for hardworking New Hampshire families — from our reproductive freedoms, to economic fairness, to our own democracy — I’m going to work my heart out to bring us together and win in November.”

Goodlander, a former White House adviser from Nashua, had 23,245 votes, or 62.5 percent, to 13,934, or 37.4 percent, for Van Ostern, a former N.H. executive councilor from Concord.

Kuster, who endorsed Van Ostern, put out a statement Tuesday evening congratulating Goodlander.

“When I first ran for Congress, I emerged from a spirited primary and it made me a stronger candidate and helped prepare me to win and hold this seat,” Kuster said. “I know the same will be true for Maggie.

“It’s time for Democrats, Independents and reasonable Republicans to unite behind Maggie and ensure we defeat MAGA extremism in November.”

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Rick Green can be reached at 603-352-1234, ext. 1435, or RGreen@KeeneSentinel.com.

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