Many of the Establishment Republicans, particularly the more “moderate” ones, broke with Donald Trump back in 2015 and 2016 over everything from his often-mischaracterized comments about illegal immigrants and women to his generally brash style. Among those who did so is former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who is now running for governor. However, given how terribly things have gone under Biden, former Sen. Ayotte is now supporting Trump.
Such is what the former Senator and current gubernatorial candidate explained in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting that though she was originally anti-Trump, having broken with him in 2016, she is now onboard the Trump train and supports his effort to take down Biden. As background, she broke with Trump over the “Access Hollywood” tape and scandal.
In any case, speaking to Fox News Digital about why she now supports Trump, former Sen. Ayotte said, “Under Joe Biden things cost more, we’re less safe. There’s no question that we are worse off than we were than when President Trump was in office. ” Continuing, she explained, “I’m supporting President Trump because I believe we need to change courses for the nation.”
The former senator then explained that the situation at the borders is critical, and she sees former President Trump as being able to fix it, unlike the current president, under whose watch the border problem has grown into an out-of-control crisis. She said, “He’ll fix the disaster over the southern border and we’re also seeing it on the northern border, to keep the country safe.”
Former Sen. Ayotte then added that she thinks Trump is much better than Biden because, in addition to his strength on the border, he “also has a different vision in terms of freedom and taxes.” Then, summarizing how the Biden Administration led her to support Trump in this election, she said that Biden “has really, unfortunately, been a disaster for the country, and we need a change.”
Ayotte added that, while she would “certainly appreciate” backing from Trump, she is placing an emphasis on those from New Hampshire. She said, “But on the other hand, you think about what’s the most important issue in this race and it’s the people of New Hampshire.” She continued, “So I’m campaigning every day to get the support and earn the support of the voters in this race, and that’s what I’m doing on the campaign trail and will continue to do.”
Watch former Sen. Ayotte here:
Despite Ayotte having changed her mind about Trump, not everyone on the New Hampshire conservative right thinks Ayotte is the proper choice for New Hampshire, however. Among those who thinks very differently is former state Senate president Chuck Morse, who is running against her in a primary. He ripped her as being an Obama liberal in a recent statement to Fox News.
Morse said, “Governor Chris Sununu followed a path blazed by conservative leaders like me, while Kelly’s record is littered with bad policy choices and voting with [Barack] Obama over 260 times. This state deserves leaders who face tough questions, not those who hide from accountability. I’m here, ready to answer to the people and continue moving New Hampshire forward. If Kelly can’t face her own record, how can she lead?”
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