Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte has been sworn in as the 83rd governor of New Hampshire. Ayotte succeeds fellow Republican Chris Sununu, who decided against seeking a fifth two-year term. During her campaign, Ayotte promised to continue Sununu's anti-tax, pro-business economic policies. She is the third woman to be elected governor of New Hampshire. In her inaugural speech on Thursday, Ayotte said she would keep New Hampshire on a prosperous path but warned that belt-tightening would be necessary as lawmakers write the next two-year budget. She promised to bring people together and prodded young people to “step up and contribute.”
