Republican candidates for governor, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and former state Senate President Chuck Morse, went head-to-head in a heated debate at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Both candidates came prepared with attacks against each other, with Morse accusing Ayotte of voting with Democrats and Ayotte firing back at Morse’s connections to the housing market. The debate also covered issues such as the state’s housing crisis, Education Freedom Accounts, and Democratic attacks on the GOP over abortion.
While the debate had some lighter moments, such as discussing recommended TV shows for those getting into politics, the main focus was on the candidates’ differing viewpoints and strategies. Ayotte supporters believe she is ready to unite the Republican Party, while Morse’s attacks are seen as helping Democrats. However, some supporters of Morse feel that his attacks are unnecessary as he has a strong record to run on.
Despite the heated exchanges during the debate, GOP insiders believe that Morse needed a major shift in the race which he did not achieve. Both candidates claimed victory after the debate, with Morse highlighting his performance and commitment to uniting Republicans, while Ayotte emphasized her conservative leadership and readiness to defeat her opponents.
Overall, the debate showcased the differing approaches and narratives of the two Republican candidates for governor, setting the stage for a competitive primary race with contrasting visions for the future of New Hampshire.
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