Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democrat Joyce Craig recently faced off in a debate hosted by the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council, where they both criticized each other’s campaign promises. Ayotte emphasized that she believes Craig would not veto a sales or income tax if elected, while Craig expressed doubts about Ayotte’s stance on abortion restrictions. Ayotte defended her position by stating that she would veto any legislation that goes beyond current abortion laws, while Craig accused her opponent of saying anything to get elected.
Despite Ayotte’s claims that Craig pushed for a city sales tax and tried to raise taxes multiple times during her time as mayor, fact-checking reveals that Craig only mentioned a sales tax in a memo compiling community suggestions in 2017, and did not advocate for it. Additionally, the tax increases during Craig’s mayoral term either followed the city’s voter-approved tax cap or were approved by aldermen with a veto-proof majority. The candidates are vying to succeed Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who chose not to seek reelection, but neither offered specific plans to address potential budget shortfalls totaling $1 billion, caused by the loss of federal COVID-19 relief aid and other factors.
When asked about how they would address the budget shortfall, Ayotte mentioned living within the state’s means, leveraging technology, and finding more efficient ways to operate. Craig, on the other hand, proposed cutting costs, pursuing federal grants, and ensuring effective and efficient operations. She also mentioned potential savings through energy efficiency and the legalization of recreational marijuana. Overall, the debate highlighted the differences in approach between the two candidates, with Ayotte focusing on fiscal responsibility and limited government, while Craig emphasized finding innovative solutions to challenges faced by the state.
In their debate, Ayotte and Craig also discussed their respective stances on taxation and government spending, with Ayotte warning against tax increases under a Craig administration and Craig defending her record of fiscal responsibility as mayor. The candidates’ positions on key issues, such as abortion rights and taxation, will likely play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the gubernatorial race in New Hampshire. As the campaign heats up, voters will have to carefully consider the differing perspectives offered by Ayotte and Craig when deciding who is best suited to lead the state and address its financial challenges in the coming years.
