One of the two Republicans running for governor in New Hampshire sought to use the news of former president Donald Trump’s conviction Thursday as an opportunity to differentiate himself from his GOP rival.
Chuck Morse’s campaign promptly released a statement denouncing the guilty verdict as a symptom of corruption. The statement also called Morse the “sole New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate to have endorsed” Trump in the 2024 race.
“This weaponization of justice to target a political opponent is an affront to American values and will only embolden President Trump’s supporters, rallying millions of voters to his side,” he said, claiming President Biden had manipulated the system “for electoral gain.”
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Morse, a former New Hampshire Senate president, is up against former US senator Kelly Ayotte in the Republican primary. While Morse has aligned his candidacy with the former president, endorsing Trump at a campaign rally in December, Ayotte has taken a more measured approach, saying she would support whoever wins the GOP presidential nomination.
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Ayotte confirmed in March that she’ll support Trump, the party’s presumptive 2024 nominee, despite having withdrawn her 2016 endorsement over the “Access Hollywood” tape. (“I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women,” she said at the time.)
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Former US senator Kelly Ayotte spoke at a campaign rally in 2020 at the Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, N.H.Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press
Unlike many other political candidates, Ayotte did not immediately share a statement about Trump’s conviction on social media, nor did spokespeople for her campaign respond to The Boston Globe’s request for comment. But she released a statement Thursday evening to the New Hampshire Journal.
“Today’s verdict is disappointing, and I don’t believe our justice system should be politicized,” she said. “Our country is on the wrong track with Joe Biden in the White House, and that’s why I’m supporting Donald Trump.”
The two leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates singled out Ayotte for criticism. Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, said Ayotte lacks “the spine” needed to stand up to Trump and “the dangerous extremists in her party.” Cinde Warmington, the lone Democratic executive councilor, said New Hampshire needs a governor “who has the backbone to stand up to the likes of Trump and Ayotte.”
This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
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Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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