Meanwhile, the battle for the Democratic nomination is getting more intense. Polls show former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig in the lead, followed by City Councilwoman Cinde Warmington. Newmarket business owner Jon Kiper is enjoying a notable level of support, but remains a distant third.
In the Saint Anselm poll, Craig was ahead with 37 percent of likely Democratic voters in the primary, followed by Warmington with 28 percent and Kiper with 2 percent. In the UNH poll, Craig was ahead with 39 percent, followed by Warmington with 30 percent and Kiper with 8 percent.
While four of the five candidates attended the “Pints and Politics” events at New England College in Henniker on Wednesday, Ayotte was not in attendance. She is endorsed by outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and is campaigning on a promise to keep New Hampshire on “the Sununu way.”
On Wednesday, Morse’s campaign launched a television ad – its first on television after its previous video ad ran only on digital and streaming services – saying conservatives can’t trust Ayotte.
Ayotte launched a TV ad this week attacking the leading Democratic candidate, making clear that she is focused on the general election. In her ad, Ayotte accused Craig of turning Manchester into what she called “Craigville,” a city plagued by drugs, violent crime and homelessness.
Craig’s campaign dismissed Ayotte’s ad as misleading, citing data showing that violent crime fell by about 40 percent under her administration while she worked to improve public safety and build affordable housing.
The latest campaign finance reports filed this week show Ayotte also leading the way in fundraising, receiving over $1 million from the Republican Governors Association through the Live Free PAC. (This came after the Democratic Governors Association launched anti-Ayotte ads.)
The state primary election is in 18 days, on September 10. The general election is in 74 days, on November 5.
This story first appeared in the Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter with the most important news about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from elsewhere. To receive it by email Monday through Friday, You can register here.
Steven Porter can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @Reporterporter.
