Trump looms large over Republican primary for governor in New Hampshire – WMUR Manchester
Morse has endorsed former president, while Ayotte made no endorsement
Morse has endorsed former president, while Ayotte made no endorsement
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Morse has endorsed former president, while Ayotte made no endorsement
As former President Donald Trump closes in on the Republican presidential nomination, his long shadow is looming over statewide races in New Hampshire, including the GOP primary for governor.
Republican candidate Chuck Morse was a loud and proud endorser of Ttrump in the first-in-the-nation primary. He’s back on the campaign trail for governor and hoping to bring some of Trump’s momentum with him.
“Donald Trump closed the border,” Morse said. “Donald Trump created an energy policy that works for our nation. And he certainly drove an economy, which is what we need to get back to.”
In an interview for “CloseUP,” Morse was asked if he plans to make Trump support an issue in the Republican primary. His opponent, Kelly Ayotte, didn’t make an endorsement in the New Hampshire primary.
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“Well, I think the public keeps asking (who she supported),” Morse said. “I mean, I honestly believe I supported a candidate as a conservative that has proven that he got the job done.”
Ayotte notably withdrew her support for Trump in 2016 after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape.
“When my daughter Kate is old enough to know what is in those tapes and understand what he is talking about, I want her to know where I stood,” Ayotte said.
Last year, the former U.S. senator told News 9 she will support the Republican nominee in November.
Ayotte was not available to speak to News 9 on Friday, but her campaign manager sent a statement saying, “It is critical we have a governor who will stand up and fight for New Hampshire and stop the Democrats from MASSing up our great state.”
University of New Hampshire professor of political science Dante Scala said Ayotte is walking a tightrope.
“I don’t think it’s going to be enough for her to say, ‘Well, I support the nominee of my party,'” Scala said. “I think she’ll be pressed on that. And I think she will be expected to express her firm support for Donald Trump.”
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