Former US Sen. Ayotte to face former Manchester Mayor Craig in New Hampshire governor's race

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire will elect a female governor for the third time in November after former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig won their respective primaries Tuesday.

The governor's office is an open seat for the first time since 2016 thanks to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's decision against seeking a fifth two-year term.

Though six candidates were competing in the Republican primary, the race largely was between Ayotte and former state Senate President Chuck Morse, while on the Democratic side, Craig had the most competition from Cinde Warmington, a member of the governor's Executive Council.

New Hampshire has elected two female governors, both of whom are now in the U.S. Senate — Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan. But Ayotte, who was New Hampshire’s first female attorney general, said she is more interested in following in Sununu’s footsteps.

“Over the last eight years under Gov. Sununu’s leadership, this state has been rocking it,” she told supporters in Manchester. "And this election is about making sure New Hampshire remains that way.”

Craig served on the Manchester school board and board of aldermen before being elected as the city’s first female mayor in 2017. She said leading the state’s largest city for three terms gives her the experience to be governor, though critics blamed her for its ongoing struggles with homelessness and crime.

In remarks to supporters, Craig said she is prepared to tackle the state's housing crisis, strengthen public schools and expand access to reproductive health care. She also accused Ayotte of lying about her record.

“The last thing our state needs is a governor pitting people and communities against each other,” Craig said. “She is the most extreme threat to reproductive freedoms our state has ever seen and is too dangerous for New Hampshire. But I know that with all of your hard work and support, we will win in November and create a brighter future for our state.”

After five years as attorney general, Ayotte served one term in the U.S. Senate before narrowly losing her seat to Hassan in 2016. She focused much of her campaign on stoking anti-Massachusetts sentiment with her “Don’t Mass it up” slogan, leaning less on the traditional anti-tax rhetoric and more on crime and immigration.

In contrast to its first-in-the-nation presidential primary, New Hampshire is among the last states to hold state-level primary elections, leaving the winners just eight weeks to woo voters before Nov. 5.

As in the governor's race, there was no incumbent running in the 2nd Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster is retiring after six terms. The seat has not been open since 2010.

Former White House aide Maggie Goodlander won the Democratic primary for that seat, defeating former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern, who previously ran for governor and secretary of state and had been endorsed by Kuster.

Goodlander, who is married to President Joe Biden’s national security advisor, grew up in Nashua and recently moved back there from Washington. She worked in the Justice Department as a top antitrust official and as counsel to Attorney General Merrick Garland before moving to the White House chief of staff’s office earlier this year.

“I got into this campaign to fight for our freedoms, our economic freedom, the freedom to vote and absolutely the freedom for us to have control over own bodies,” Goodlander told supporters in Nashua. “In Congress, I am going to approach every single day, every single vote, by asking myself a very simple question: What is this going to mean for the people of the Second District?”

In the Republican 2nd District primary, second-time candidate Lily Tang Williams defeated a dozen opponents to finish first this time.

A native of China who became a U.S. citizen, Tang Williams calls herself the embodiment of the American Dream. A longtime GOP activist, she said she wants to go to Congress to keep that dream alive and to tackle inflation, the border crisis and the weaponization of government.

“I think her story is without parallel,” said voter Philip Cistulli, of Concord. “That and her fierceness and her commitment to upholding the Constitution and the freedoms we hold dear in this country.”

In the 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas won the Democratic primary as he seeks a fourth term, defeating Kevin Rondeau, who ran in the Republican primary two years ago before switching parties.

Pappas, who considers himself a pragmatic voice in Washington, has said he expects immigration and abortion rights to be the top issues in the general election. He said the Republican primary candidates did little more than express devotion to former President Donald Trump and regurgitate anti-abortion talking points.

His seat flipped five times in seven election cycles before he won his first term in 2018.

Former state Sen. Russell Prescott won the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District.

Prescott, who lost the same primary two years ago, defeated six other Republicans, including Joseph Kelly Levasseur, Chris Bright, Holly Noveletsky and Walter McFarlane.

Prescott, an engineer who owns a company that makes water treatment systems, said he has always found new ways to solve problems, whether in his business or at the Statehouse, and would continue doing so in Washington.

He touted his lengthy experience in Concord, including five terms in the state Senate and two terms on the governor’s Executive Council, which approves state contracts.

Associated Press Writer Kathy McCormack contributed to this report.

Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig participates in Democratic debate for New Hampshire governor, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Manchester, N.H. (Derek Stokely/WMUR-TV via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte celebrates at her victory party after winning GOP nomination for New Hampshire governor at Bonfire in Manchester, N.H., on Primary Day Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (David Lane/Union Leader via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte celebrates at her victory party after winning the GOP nomination for New Hampshire governor at Bonfire in Manchester, N.H., on Primary Day Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (David Lane/Union Leader via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte waves to the crowd at Bonfire Country Bar in Manchester, N.H., after winning the Republican primary against former state Senate President Chuck Morse on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Geoff Forester/The Concord Monitor via AP)

Voters fill out ballots, in a primary election to pick candidates for governor, the U.S. House, and the state Legislature, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Voters, right, enter booths to fill out ballots Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Nashua, N.H., in a primary election to pick candidates for governor, the U.S. House, and the state Legislature. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Voters fill out ballots, in a primary election to pick candidates for governor, the U.S. House, and the state Legislature, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

A voter enters a booth to fill out a ballot in a primary election to pick candidates for governor, the U.S. House, and the state Legislature, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

A voter enters a booth fill out a ballot in a primary election to pick candidates for governor, the U.S. House, and the state Legislature, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Democratic candidates For New Hampshire governor Restaurant owner Jon Kiper, left, Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, center, and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington debate, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Manchester, N.H. (Derek Stokely/WMUR-TV via AP)

Democratic congressional candidates Maggie Goodlander, left, and Colin Van Ostern shake hands after the Live Free or Die Debates at the Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of New England College in Henniker, N.H., Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 2024. The candidates are hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster who is not running for reelection. (Geoff Forester/The Concord Monitor via AP)

Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, right, speaks during a Republican gubernatorial candidate debate with former state Senate president Chuck Morse on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Manchester, N.H. (Derek Stokely/WMUR-TV via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidates Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse shake hands at the end of their debate at the Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of New England College in Henniker, N.H., Wednesday night, Sept. 4, 2024. (Geoff Forester/The Concord Monitor via AP)

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Cameron John of Australia shared the lead at the Dunhill Links Championship, where players ranked outside the top 400 in the world shaded the big names and top golf leaders on Friday.

Jon Rahm, one of 14 players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf in the field, bogeyed two of his last three holes for a 71 at Kingsbarns and was six shots behind. Rory McIlroy, playing in a group with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, had a 69 at Kingsbarns and was eight back.

Colsaerts, a one-time Ryder Cup player who has fallen to No. 695 in the world, showed he hasn't lost his penchant for going low by making eight birdies for a 7-under 65 at Carnoustie.

John is No. 1,007 in the world ranking. He opened with a career-best 62 and followed that on Friday with a 68 at St. Andrews, his round slowed by taking two from a pot bunker and making double bogey on the par-5 fifth hole.

They were at 14-under 130, one shot ahead of David Law of Scotland (No. 454) and Darren Fichardt of South Africa (No. 462).

Law is trying to secure his European tour card and shot 67 at St. Andrews. Fichardt, who opened with a career-best 61, could manage only a 72 on the Old Course.

The tournament, featuring one professional and one amateur over three courses, began with Monahan playing alongside Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund that backs rival LIV Golf.

They are in the midst of trying to negotiate a deal in which the Public Investment Fund would become a minority investor in the commercial PGA Tour Enterprises.

Monahan, whose partner is Billy Horschel, played on Friday with McIlroy and his father. Al-Rumayyan has LIV player Dean Burmester as a partner. He played alongside golf power broker Johann Rupert of South Africa, who is largely responsible for this tournament.

Rupert told reporters on Thursday, "I have known Jay for a very long time, and I have got to know His Excellency (Al-Rumayyan) as well, and they both only have the best interests of golf at heart. We need to keep on having days like today. Golf is supposed to be a maker of friends.

“We have a war going on in Ukraine and a terrible situation in the Middle East and another war going on in Sudan and we argue about golf? Surely all we want to do is see the best players in the world playing together.”

The Dunhill Links through two days has provided an odd collection of players at the top, though the 41-year-old Colsaerts has been on a big stage previously.

He is best known for winning a fourballs match practically by himself at Medinah in the 2012 Ryder Cup. Colsaerts made eight birdies and an eagle as he and Lee Westwood beat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.

Colsaerts has only one win in the 12 years since that Ryder Cup, but found something at a tournament he loves playing.

“I've been playing pretty well since yesterday,” Colsaerts said. “St. Andrews, I really plotted my way around. But here (Carnoustie), it requires a little bit more of local knowledge. Having played in this definitely helps.”

He ran off three straight birdies around the turn, and then capped off three birdies in four holes late in the round, ending his run on the tough 17th.

“It all fit together,” Colsaerts said.

For McIlroy and Rahm and the other top players, they go to St. Andrews on Saturday. Monahan and Horschel will be with Rupert and Louis Oosthuizen, while McIlroy and his father play alongside Al-Rumayyan and Burmester.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Jay Monahan from the U.S. on the 10th on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, Thursday Oct. 3, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, left, and Billy Horschel of the U.S. react on the first tee on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Rory McIlroy reacts after missing a putt on the first green on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Yasir Al Rumayyan tees off the third on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)