New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate on Monday.
A Democrat, Hassan was elected as the 81st governor of New Hampshire in 2012 and won re-election in 2014. She will now be challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte. Ayotte’s seat is one the Democrats are targeting in their bid to retake the Senate majority.
Hassan made the announcement Monday morning in a video.
“To continue working to realize our state’s full potential, we need a response from Washington that meets the progress we’re making here at home,” she said. “And that’s exactly why I’m running for the United States Senate. Because Washington has given in to powerful special interests and lobbyists who rig the system for themselves and against the middle class.”
Ayotte, who was first elected to the Senate in 2010, said she welcomes Hassan to the race.
“I’m running for re-election so I can continue working across the aisle to solve problems and deliver results for you,” Ayotte said in a statement Monday. “Whether it’s stopping wasteful spending, fighting for fairness in the workplace, creating a better climate for small businesses to create jobs, protecting our environment, or keeping our country safe, I wake up every day focused on providing solutions for the issues you care about.” The New Hampshire GOP attacked Hassan more than Ayotte did, saying she is “trying to leave the corner office after years of failing to lead on the pressing issues facing New Hampshire.”
“Hassan’s playbook of more taxes, more spending and bigger government has not worked for New Hampshire families and small businesses,” New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn said. “Her failed leadership has brought Washington-style gridlock to the governor’s office, and the last thing New Hampshire needs in the Senate is another rubberstamp for more partisan politics.”
According to WMUR, Hassan will not be running for re-election for governor while she runs for Senate.
