In one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial races, the focus on gender has become intensely personal as five women run as major party nominees in four states. In New Hampshire, Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democrat Joyce Craig are vying for the governor’s seat, both highlighting their experiences with miscarriages and their differing views on reproductive rights.
Ayotte emphasizes her support for in vitro fertilization, while Craig promises broader protections for reproductive health care and criticizes Ayotte’s previous stance on abortion. In Indiana, Democrat Jennifer McCormick highlights her gender as she criticizes her opponent for supporting a near-total ban on abortion.
However, the trust women slogan comes with an asterisk in New Hampshire, where Craig questions Ayotte’s reliability due to her past support for abortion restrictions. Ayotte, on the other hand, insists she will veto any bill further restricting abortion in the state.
Despite New Hampshire’s history of electing women to top offices, gender has not been a dominant issue in the race, according to voters and the candidates themselves. The outcome of the race is expected to hinge on turnout, with Ayotte tying Craig to city issues while Democrats are energized by the abortion debate.
If elected, the New Hampshire race will set a record of 13 female governors serving simultaneously. Both Ayotte and Craig downplay the significance of their gender in the campaign, with voters expressing a focus on qualifications over gender. The outcome of the race will have implications beyond state boundaries, as the number of female governors in office could potentially grow.
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