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 state ...

Republican Kelly Ayotte won the New Hampshire governor's race on Tuesday, Edison Research 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.

Former GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte defeated Democratic challenger Joyce Craig, a former mayor, to win the New Hampshire governorship in a tossup state, the Associated Press projected. With 57% of the vote tallied,