If you’re driving through the Granite State right now, you’re officially in Kelly Ayotte’s New Hampshire.
Honestly, it feels like only yesterday that the airwaves were absolutely choked with those "Live Free or Die" campaign ads. But here we are in 2026, and Ayotte is firmly settled into the corner office at the State House in Concord. She’s the 83rd governor of the state, and if you haven't been keeping a close eye on the local news, a lot has changed since she took over from Chris Sununu in early 2025.
Who is the NH Governor? Breaking Down the 2024 Win
You've probably heard the name for years. Kelly Ayotte isn't exactly a newcomer. She was a U.S. Senator and the state’s first female Attorney General before she decided to run for the top spot. When Sununu announced he wasn't going for a fifth term, the door flew wide open.
The 2024 election was... intense. It was basically a slugfest between Ayotte and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. In the end, Ayotte won by about 9 points, pulling in 53.6% of the vote. People were worried about "becoming Massachusetts," and her message of keeping taxes low and staying "safe, prosperous, and free" really hit home with the North Country and the suburbs alike.
📖 Related: Whos Winning The Election Rn Polls: The January 2026 Reality Check
She took the oath on January 9, 2025. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of policy shifts that have made some people cheer and others, well, pretty frustrated.
The "Murder Prosecutor" Brand
Ayotte often leans into her history as a homicide prosecutor. It’s kinda her thing. Because of that, her first year was very "law and order." One of the biggest things she did right out of the gate was overhaul the state's bail system. Before this, there was a lot of noise about "catch and release" in New Hampshire. Ayotte and the Republican-led legislature pushed through much tougher restrictions for people accused of serious crimes.
She also made waves by banning sanctuary city policies across the state. Even though New Hampshire doesn't have many cities looking to do that, she wanted to draw a hard line. She even backed a deal for State Police to help ICE with federal immigration actions.
👉 See also: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
What’s Actually Happening in Concord Right Now?
So, what does it feel like to live under Governor Ayotte’s administration in 2026? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
On one hand, the state budget she signed didn't include any new taxes. That’s a huge win if you’re a fan of the "New Hampshire Advantage." But—and there’s always a but—some critics point out that while taxes stayed flat, various fees went up.
- Housing: This is the big one. Everyone knows it’s impossible to find a cheap place to live in the Seacoast or even near Concord. Ayotte’s been pushing to "cut the red tape" for developers. The idea is that if it's easier to build, prices will eventually drop. It’s a slow process, though.
- Childcare: In her recent 2026 "state of the state" type remarks, she admitted that childcare costs are still killing family budgets. She’s looking for ways to make it more affordable, though the specifics are still being hammered out in the Senate.
- Education: She’s a massive supporter of "Education Freedom Accounts." Basically, these are vouchers that let public money follow students to private or home schools. It’s been expanded recently, which is great for "school choice" advocates but has public school supporters worried about funding.
The Politics of 2026
Since New Hampshire is one of the only states with a two-year term for governor (yeah, we're unique like that), Ayotte is already technically looking toward the next election cycle. It's a grueling pace. While she’s currently enjoying decent approval ratings—around 49%—the political weather in New Hampshire can change faster than a snowstorm in the White Mountains.
✨ Don't miss: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
The state currently has a "Republican Trifecta." That means the GOP controls the Governor's office, the State House, and the State Senate. It makes passing things easier for her, but it also means there’s nobody else to blame if things like electric bills stay sky-high. And man, those utility bills are definitely a sore spot for most of us lately.
Surprising Facts About Kelly Ayotte
Most people know she was a Senator, but did you know she actually lost her Senate seat to Maggie Hassan back in 2016 by only 1,017 votes? Talk about a thin margin. That loss could have ended a lot of careers, but she spent the years in between working in the private sector (including a stint at BAE Systems) before making this comeback.
She’s also part of a very exclusive club. Ayotte, along with Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, are the only women in the entire history of the United States to have been elected as both a Governor and a U.S. Senator. Say what you want about NH politics, but the state knows how to pick 'em.
How to Stay Involved
If you’re looking to keep tabs on what the Governor is doing, there are a few practical steps you can take. Don’t just wait for the 30-second TV spots to tell you what’s happening.
- Check the Executive Council: In NH, the Governor doesn't work alone. We have this weird, five-member "Executive Council" that has to approve almost all big spending and appointments. Watching their meetings is actually a great way to see where the money is going.
- Monitor the Housing Bills: Keep an eye on the 2026 legislative session regarding "streamlining" regulations. If you’re a renter or a first-time homebuyer, these laws will affect your wallet more than anything else.
- Use the "Ask a Librarian" Service: If you’re ever confused about a specific NH law or who represents you, the state website (nh.gov) has a surprisingly helpful feature where real librarians will help you track down info.
New Hampshire is in a transitional phase. We’ve moved past the Sununu era and into something that feels a bit more structured, a bit more focused on the "murder prosecutor" background of its leader. Whether that leads to the "brighter future" Ayotte promised or more partisan friction remains to be seen as we head deeper into 2026.