The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire's governor means 13 women will serve as a state's chief executive next year, breaking the record of 12 set after the 2022 elections. Governors hold powerful sway in American politics,

Republican Kelly Ayotte won the New Hampshire governor's race on Tuesday, Edison Research projected, defeating Democrat Joyce Craig in one of the nation's only closely fought gubernatorial contests.

Ms. Ayotte entered the race with greater name recognition than the Democrat, Joyce Craig, and was seen as a natural successor to Gov. Chris Sununu, a moderate Republican.

| Race for New Hampshire governor In one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial races, New Hampshire voters are choosing between one candidate trying to jump from local to statewide office and another seeking to bring federal experience to the Statehouse.

A record 13 women will serve as governor next year after the election of New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte, breaking the record set in 2023.

Thirteen women will serve as governors in the US next year, topping the former record of 12 set in 2022. Kelly Ayotte’s win in New Hampshire, which was called by the Associated Press on Monday, toppled the previous high as the Republican is set to become the next governor of the Granite State in January.