The gubernatorial race in New Hampshire has taken a personal turn as two women, Kelly Ayotte and Joyce Craig, vie for the position currently held by Gov. Chris Sununu. While gender has not been a focal point for voters, it has influenced the candidates' stances on abortion and reproductive health care.
Ayotte and Craig have both shared personal stories related to pregnancy loss in their campaign ads, but their approaches to reproductive rights differ. Ayotte emphasizes support for in vitro fertilization, while Craig advocates for broader protections of reproductive rights, asserting that such decisions should belong to women, not politicians.
In Indiana, Jennifer McCormick, the sole female candidate, has highlighted her gender as she criticizes her opponent for supporting a near-total ban on abortion. She emphasizes her firsthand experience with pregnancy and motherhood, advocating for trust in women and healthcare providers.
While New Hampshire has a history of electing women to top offices, the abortion issue has energized Democrats in the state. Ayotte's past support for a federal abortion ban and her role in confirming Justice Neil Gorsuch have been points of contention for Craig, who emphasizes reproductive freedom.
Despite the focus on gender and reproductive rights, both Ayotte and Craig assert that their gender has not been a significant factor in the campaign. Voters interviewed expressed a focus on candidates' qualifications rather than gender, with some highlighting issues such as public education and political consistency as key factors in their decision-making.
With the possibility of a record-breaking number of female governors serving simultaneously, the New Hampshire race underscores the increasing presence of women in top political positions across the country.
