New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, comfortably won her party's primary, setting up a general election contest against Democrat Cinde Warmington, who ran unopposed. The race is being closely watched partly because Ayotte has largely avoided aligning herself publicly with President Donald Trump during her first term, a stance Warmington has sought to exploit by accusing her of failing to stand up to him on issues such as healthcare cuts, tariffs and the war in Iran.

Ayotte, a former US senator and state attorney general, beat Republican challengers Shaun Fife and Bob Wayne McClory as she seeks a second two-year term. She won the governorship in 2024 after Chris Sununu's retirement, and during her tenure has rolled back parts of the state's bail reform law, signed restrictions on student mobile phone use in schools, and introduced penalties for drivers who refuse breathalyser tests, while also facing criticism from Democrats over budget cuts to state agencies. Warmington, who previously served two terms on the state's Executive Council, is making her second run for governor after losing the 2024 Democratic primary.