New Hampshire Attorney General (Kelly Ayote) Will Resign To Explore Senate Run

RCP ^ | 7/7/09

[LdSentinal]

New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, today announced her intention to resign so that she can explore a run for the U.S. Senate, the Union Leader reports.

"Recently, many New Hampshire citizens have urged me to run for United States Senate. I appreciate their confidence in me," she said in a statement. "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."

She said that the attorney general's office "has a long tradition as a nonpartisan, independent office," and she's resigning to preserve that. Her resignation is effective July 17. "I do not intend to discuss my future plans or politics in any detail until such time as I leave the Attorney General’s Office," she said.

Democrats, including the governor who twice appointed her, John Lynch, have tried to pressure Ayotte not to run by holding her to a promise Lynch says she made when he reappointed her, that she would serve out the complete term. Ayotte has not addressed that claim.

If she does indeed run for Senate, it would give Republicans a solid chance to hold retiring Sen. Judd Gregg's (R) seat. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) is the likely Democratic nominee. A recent poll showed Ayotte narrowly leading him.

[LdSentinal]

That’s that. The GOP has their candidate to replace Judd Gregg.

[ClearCase_guy]

Only Sarah Palin "quits". Everyone else simply "resigns".

The media loves to target and smear the people they disdain.

[andy58-in-nh]

This is very good news - she’s been an excellent A.G., is highly intelligent and articulate.

[BigBobber]

Too bad. According to the insiders, this will end her career in politics. She is supposed to stay on the public payroll while she campaigns.

[moose2004]

Not true, AG’s always resign because of the potential for conflict of interests. Case and point Bob McDonnell of Virginia, who resigned around 2 months ago as the Commonwealth’s AG to run for Governor of Virginia.

[andy58-in-nh]

I can't recall the last time a Democrat was made to honor a verbal promise to serve out their term, especially one made in private. Lord Obama is an example. Sometimes, opportunity knocks at an inconvenient time.

[icwhatudo]

What a nut job! A quitter!!! She QUIT!!!! This is unheard of!!!!!

Huh? It wasn’t Sarah Palin? Oh....the she resigned to focus on other issues.

[Tanniker Smith]

QUITTER!! QUITTER!! QUITTER!!!

[BigBobber]

Wish that were true here in Kali-fornia. AG Jerry Brown is hoping to run for governor.

[FreepShop1]

She’s pretty good. I read a Democrat blog attacking her as “anti-choice” and “anti-gay”. A great start!

[Reagan79]

guilty.

[hoosier hick]

"We're seeing a national trend where Republicans have abandoned their responsibilities to their constituents in favor of political gain," said state (Democrat) party chairman Raymond Buckley. "From Alaska to New Hampshire, Republicans just can't seem to honor their commitment to the public.

Unlike most politicians, who would collect a paycheck, while not doing the job....

hh

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ayotte going for the Senate in NH.

[Clintonfatigued]

I don’t know a lot about Ayotte’s views. I know that if she wins, she’d be the first French-Canadian decended woman U.S. Senator in American history.

[Impy]

If post 11 is true that’s a good sign.

[campaignPete R-CT]

i seem to recall that Hillary is considered to be a woman of French Canadian descent. N’est pas?

[campaignPete R-CT]

[campaignPete R-CT]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayotte_v._Planned_Parenthood_of_New_England

Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, 546 U.S. 320 (2006), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States involving a facial challenge to New Hampshire’s parental notification abortion law.

[campaignPete R-CT]

dj, yer always on top of things! This is great news.