Kelly Ayotte

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?

"Kelly supports Education Freedom Accounts and will fight for Universal education freedom because every child should have the same learning opportunities and chance at success, regardless of their zip code or family income."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

"Kelly supports and will not change New Hampshire's existing abortion law, which protects women's freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy and addresses late term abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

"Kelly supports and will not change New Hampshire's current abortion law, which protects women's freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy and addresses late term abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"Kelly will never allow an income or sales tax to be imposed in New Hampshire. As Governor, she will protect our state's economic advantage to allow families and small businesses to thrive."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"Kelly believes in protecting New Hampshire's economic advantage to help businesses create jobs and keep costs low for working families. Kelly will never allow an income or sales tax to be imposed in New Hampshire."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Kelly’s answer is simple — no new taxes, period. Kelly will always look to cut taxes wherever possible and will look closely at potential future business tax cuts in her first budget."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"New Hampshire does not have a capital gains tax, and like an income or sales tax, Kelly would never allow New Hampshire to implement one."

Candidate's Website, 2013

"We need immigration reform that serves the best interests of our country - a solution that finally secures our southern border, implements an employment verification system, stops future waves of illegal immigrants, deports undocumented criminals, creates a tough but fair means for those who are here illegally to earn citizenship, and allows high-skilled and other needed legal immigrants to work here and help grow our economy."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"Kelly believes it is important to protect New Hampshire's natural beauty and our environment for future generations to enjoy. Kelly supports an all-of-the above energy strategy, including renewable and other clean energy sources. Her focus will be on reducing energy costs for all Granite Staters by expanding our access to all forms of energy. She thinks it's important that New Hampshire is positioned to adopt new technologies like small modular nuclear reactors that would allow our state to produce its own clean energy."

Candidate's Website, 2016

"She believes that education decisions are best made locally - not in Washington. That's why she backed bipartisan education reform that returns control to the local level, lets states and local school districts decide which standards make sense for their students, and gives parents a stronger voice in the way their kids are educated."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?

"Ensuring New Hampshire continues to have free, fair, and secure elections is critical to our state. Kelly supports conditional affidavit ballots for same-day registrants that do not have proper identification in order to allow every voter to make their voices heard while maintaining election integrity."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

"Kelly will work to streamline the state permitting process and cut unnecessary red tape to make it easier to build new housing in New Hampshire. Kelly respects local decision making and will work with local communities to build more housing by partnering with them on issues like infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer. Finally, Kelly will convene state and municipal officials and the private sector to bring all of the stakeholders to the table to determine how we can work together to build more workforce housing in New Hampshire."

Candidate's Website, 2014

"Some of my colleagues want to expand the broken background check system we have now. In my view, we shouldn't be expanding a flawed system. The focus should be on fixing the existing system, which criminals are flouting. We need to make sure we are enforcing current law and prosecuting those who attempt to illegally obtain firearms."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?

"Kelly will examine ways to expand net metering capacity while protecting rate payers."

Candidate's Website, 2016

"Like most working parents, Kelly and Joe keep a close eye on their household budget and put money away for major expenses down the road. Kelly believes that the federal government should have to live within its means, just like we do here in New Hampshire.

"That's why she helped pass the first balanced budget in 14 years and why she's cutting out-of-control spending, eliminating duplicative and wasteful programs, and pushing for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution."

Candidate's Website, 2015

"U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today announced she will support the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, which sets targets to reduce carbon emissions from power plants in order to address climate change."

Candidate's Website, 2016

Although Ayotte does not support an outright flat tax, her website states, "Kelly also backs a simpler, fairer tax code that lowers taxes for families and small businesses."

Candidate's Website, 2015

"I do not support the use of taxpayer dollars to fund a private organization that performs hundreds of thousands of abortions each year and harvests babies' body parts, which is why I voted to redirect funding to community health centers that provide women's health services such as cancer screenings, mammograms, and contraceptives."

Other, 2009

Although Ayotte has not staked a position on the enforcement of federal marijuana laws, as New Hampshire Attorney General she wrote a letter opposing medicinal marijuana. The letter stated, "Marijuana is an addictive drug that poses significant health consequences to its users... Studies have shown that very few young people turn to illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin without first experimenting with marijuana. The New Hampshire law enforcement community works diligently to discourage young people from venturing down that path. Those efforts will be significantly undermined by the passage of legislation legalizing the use of marijuana to any degree."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

"Women in New Hampshire are guaranteed access to abortion under current law, which protects their freedom to obtain an abortion for any reason up to six months of pregnancy with exceptions for medical emergencies in the last trimester."

Candidate's Website, 2016

"Kelly is pushing for a much stronger response to defeat ISIS, including bringing together NATO and our allies in the region, ramping up efforts to take out strategic targets, and denying ISIS the safe havens it now enjoys in Iraq and Syria."

Project Vote Smart Survey, 2010

"She said she is not an advocate for taking Washington out of education altogether; she wants to 'detangle federal requirements' and support school choice, charter schools, and home schooling."

Candidate's Website, 2015

"To reduce our dependence on foreign regimes that are hostile to the United States, she wants to expand domestic sources of energy - including environmentally responsible oil and natural gas production."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

"To help recruit and retain our workforce, we must address issues with childcare affordability and availability. Kelly will continue to evaluate eligibility to the state's child care scholarships, which was expanded under the last biennium budget. Kelly will also look for ways to elevate the child care profession through our community college and university system. Kelly will also work with the private sector to encourage and incentivize private employers to expand child care options for their work force."

Candidate's Website, 2023

"On day one, Kelly will work to strengthen penalties for heroin and fentanyl dealers. In particular, Kelly will work with law enforcement to prosecute dealers who come over the NH-MA border from the drug hubs of Lowell and Lawrence to the fullest extent of the law."

Candidate's Website, 2016

Ayotte supports the Veterans Choice Card program, which allows veterans to receive care at private health care facilities.

Candidate's Website, 2016

"The United States currently has the second highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world; Kelly wants to see it reduced to keep jobs at home."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

"Kelly believes that the legislature and Governor working with local communities should decide how to fund education in New Hampshire to ensure we have the best schools in the country. She does not believe these issues should be decided by the courts."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

"Kelly would not sign a bill legalizing marijuana as she is concerned that legalizing marijuana would negatively impact our quality of life. Specifically, she has examined the studies showing the negative impact of marijuana on youth mental health. As Attorney General, she worked closely with law enforcement in New Hampshire and is concerned that legalization will increase the number of deaths and injuries on our roads as it has in other states which have legalized the drug. Finally, she has met many people working on prevention and recovery in New Hampshire and they have consistently told her that legalizing marijuana is not a good idea given the opioid crisis our state continues to face."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"Businesses in New Hampshire are paying their workforce well above minimum wage in order to recruit and retain workers. Kelly believes that the market should decide wages and is concerned that the government setting minimum wages will eliminate jobs and hurt workers as it has done in some states like California."

Other, 2009

"Ayotte said she is pro-life. She later clarified that she would support abortion in limited cases, such as rape, incest or medical emergency."

Candidate's Website, 2023

"While Joe Biden’s open border policies have led to an exponential increase of illegal crossings at our northern border, New Hampshire’s Border Patrol units in the North Country are severely understaffed. As Governor, Kelly will strictly enforce immigration laws throughout our state and provide additional resources for northern law enforcement to aid in immigration enforcement.

"Kelly will require businesses to use E-Verify, block any attempt to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy for sanctuary cities in New Hampshire."

Candidate's Website, 2014

Supports allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines, enabling small businesses to form insurance pools, and expanding health savings accounts.

Candidate's Website, 2015

"I believe the New Hampshire Supreme Court made the right decision in upholding the death penalty for Michael Addison. The sentence was the appropriate and just punishment for a violent career criminal who was responsible for the murder of Michael Briggs, a decorated Manchester police officer who dedicated his life to serving the community."

Other, 2013

"I don't think it's an accident that administrations from two very different philosophies have supported keeping this program in place."

Candidate's Website, 2015

"As a member of the Seapower Subcommittee, Senator Ayotte has served as one of the leading advocates in Congress for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the American naval supremacy that is so crucial for U.S. security and prosperity."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?

"Kelly supports and will not change New Hampshire's current abortion law."

Nashua Telegraph Voter Guide, 2010

Open to raising the Social Security retirement age for young workers.

Other, 2016

"Because of Obamacare, families are facing higher deductibles, higher copays, and less choice. We need to focus on reforms that reduce health care costs, increase competition and allow greater patient choice. I've worked to expand health saving accounts and provide relief from provisions that hurt New Hampshire families, including the medical device tax, the Cadillac tax, and the employer mandate."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"New Hampshire does not have an abortion ban. In New Hampshire, women have the freedom to obtain an abortion up to six months of pregnancy in the last three months for medical emergencies. Kelly supports and will not change that law."

Candidate's Website, 2015

"This law is killing small banks. Ayotte is sponsoring a bill to fix that by exempting small banks from some Dodd-Frank regulations."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?

"As Governor, Kelly will ban sanctuary cities to keep New Hampshire communities safe."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Kelly supports our current laws and will enforce them."

Candidate's Website, 2015

Ayotte sponsored a bill that would allow students to refinance loans in the private sector. "Our legislation would give borrowers flexibility, allowing them to save money by refinancing their student loans the way they would refinance a mortgage. And to better support our younger generation of workers, this bill would allow employers to help qualified employees pay off their student loan debt with pre-tax dollars."

Other, 2015

Ayotte voted in favor of fast-tracking the TPP.

Candidate's Website, 2015

Opposes the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran.