Kelly Ayotte — Republican Candidate for Governor in New Hampshire, 2026

Research pending more substantial sources.

Kelly Ayotte addressed healthcare in her 2026 State of the State address, expressing concerns about budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services and committing to meet budget targets without affecting services. She launched GO-NORTH, an initiative utilizing $500 million in federal funds over five years to improve rural healthcare, focusing on expanding telehealth and emphasizing prevention. She also pledged to build out the rural healthcare workforce.

“With this historic level of funding we will invest in innovative technologies to make care easier to access and to improve patient outcomes. From expanding telehealth in primary care, specialties, and obstetrics, and emphasizing a prevention first model, we are going to leverage state of the art technology to overcome the barriers to health care delivery in every corner of our state.” - Kelly Ayotte, vnews.com, February 6, 2026”

Kelly Ayotte supports the development of nuclear power and opposes new landfills, stating her administration's pushback against proposed landfills in the North Country. She has criticized other New England states for hindering energy projects, such as the Constitution pipeline. While she has received low ratings from environmental groups like the LCV (23-26%), she also endorsed an amendment acknowledging human activity contributes to climate change and supported the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution.

““We can’t let places like Forest Lake in Dalton become a dumping ground for out-of-state trash,” Ayotte said. (nhpr.org, Feb. 5, 2026)”

Kelly Ayotte currently supports abortion access up to six months of pregnancy and states she would veto any further restrictions, while also supporting access to in vitro fertilization. Historically, as a U.S. Senator, she voted to defund Planned Parenthood, supported a national 20-week abortion ban, and voted for the Blunt amendment, which allowed denying coverage for birth control and IVF. She has acknowledged changing her position on abortion upon announcing her candidacy for governor.

““I fully support and will protect a woman’s right to freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy” (Kelly Ayotte, interview with WMUR, quoted by radmovement.org)”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Kelly Ayotte directed the Department of Education to study successful districts for improving reading and literacy, seeking to apply effective strategies across all schools. She also supported banning cellphones in classrooms. Additionally, she announced New Hampshire's participation in the Federal Education Tax Credit program for Scholarship Granting Organizations, aiming to expand education options and provide tax relief for families and businesses through scholarships for tuition and other educational expenses.

“New Hampshire continues to invest in educational opportunities for our students, whether it’s historic levels of funding for special education or expanding education options for families,” Ayotte said in a statement. “We want every child across our state to be in the learning environment that best fits their needs, and this tax credit opportunity will help give families that choice and provide tax relief to individuals and businesses.””

Governor Kelly Ayotte supports campus carry legislation, which would prohibit public colleges and universities from banning firearms on campus. She previously approved a provision granting immunity to gun makers like Sig Sauer from lawsuits regarding design features, a position she continues to hold by opposing its repeal. Her stance aligns with supporting gun owner rights and protecting gun manufacturers.

“Ayotte said she supports the concept. (Ayotte, Union Leader, March 3, 2026)”