The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire’s governor means 13 women will serve as a state’s chief executive next year, breaking the record of 12 set after the 2022 elections. Governors hold powerful sway in American politics, shaping ...

Republican Kelly Ayotte won the New Hampshire governor's race on Tuesday, The Associated Press projected, defeating Democrat Joyce Craig in one of the nation's only closely fought gubernatorial contests.

The New Hampshire governor's race comes down to one candidate who is trying to jump from local to statewide office and another who wants to bring federal experience to the Statehouse.

Ms. Ayotte entered the race with greater name recognition than the Democrat, Joyce Craig, and was seen as a natural successor to Gov. Chris Sununu, a moderate Republican.

Kelly Ayotte has won the New Hampshire governor’s race, NBC News projects, defeating Democrat Joyce Craig to keep the seat in Republican hands.Ayotte will succeed Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who declined to run for a fifth two-year term.

Governors hold powerful sway in American politics, shaping state policy and often using the experience and profile gained to launch campaigns for higher offices. "It matters to have women in those roles to normalize the image of women in political leadership and even more specifically in executive leadership,