Ayotte Resigns to Explore New Hampshire Senate Bid

By Rachel Kapochunas | July 7, 2009 1:33 PM | | Comments (0)

Republican state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte announced her resignation Tuesday to focus on New Hampshire's 2010 U.S. Senate race.

CQ Photo

"Recently, many New Hampshire citizens have urged me to run for United States Senate. I appreciate their confidence in me," Ayotte said in a news release. "After discussing this matter with my husband, Joe, and our family, I have decided to resign as Attorney General in order to explore a campaign for the United States Senate." Ayotte's resignation will be effective July 17.

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg is retiring in Jan. 2011, leaving open a seat in a highly competitive state. Republicans have been searching for a major GOP candidate to face Democratic Rep. Paul W. Hodes, who appears to face no strong competition for his party's nomination in the Senate race.

Last week, Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu and Republican former Gov. Stephen Merrill each announced they would not be 2010 candidates.

Any statewide candidate in New Hampshire must appeal to the many unaffiliated voters who reside in the state. Ayotte noted she has served under both Republican Gov. Craig Benson and current Democratic Gov. John Lynch and referred to her position as a "nonpartisan, independent office." The office of state Attorney General is an appointed position. Ayotte has never before run for elected office.

CQ Politics rates the race a Tossup.

Kate Davidson contributed to this story.

To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.

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Categories: New Hampshire, Senate

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