Letter: In Defense of Kelly Ayotte

Nashua Telegraph - Petty politics detract from Ayotte decision

I was saddened to see the partisan response in the July 8 Telegraph to the decision of Attorney General Kelly Ayotte to resign her post and explore a run for U.S. Senate.

One response was even critical of Gov. John Lynch for his reappointment of Ayotte. In this climate of partisan politics, one should stop and consider the commentary on Ayotte’s talents implied by this reappointment, by a Democratic governor, of a Republican to New Hampshire’s top law enforcement position. I know this of Kelly Ayotte.

When Mark Rowland, a staffer at Nashua Children’s Home, was murdered 10 years ago, on Aug. 20, 1999, it was Kelly Ayotte who so competently prosecuted this case, not once, but twice, ensuring that the murderer would be convicted to a sentence of life imprisonment with no possibility of parole.

It was early on in the retrial that then-Assistant Attorney General Ayotte was promoted to her current office. But she felt that this case was important enough – that her commitment to Mr. Rowland’s family, his friends and colleagues vital enough – that she saw it through.

I, for one, have no issue with Kelly Ayotte’s commitment on any level.

I saw that morning’s headline (“Ayotte resigns as AG, eyes Senate run”) and was immediately filled with a sense of pride for knowing Kelly Ayotte. I’m certain that anyone who knows her feels the same way.

It was only when reading the typical, partisan political commentary within that story that I became dismayed.

David Villiotti
Executive Director
Nashua Children’s Home

Poll Shows Ayotte with the Edge in Possible 2010 Senate Run

WMUR reports that Kelly Ayotte polls well against the likely Democratic challenger for the seat Senator Gregg will be vacating in 2010.

Ayotte Performs Well In UNH Survey

A new survey shows that New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte may have a good shot at winning a U.S. Senate seat.

Ayotte announced Tuesday that she was resigning as attorney general to explore running for Republican U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg's seat. Gregg has announced he would not seek re-election.

Democrats appear to be clearing the field for U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes to run for the seat, but other contenders in addition to Ayotte have been mentioned on the Republican side. A recent survey by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center indicates that Ayotte might be the Republican Party's best hope to retain the seat.

"Kelly Ayotte is better known and better liked than even a guy like Paul Hodes, who has been in office and is the likely challenger in 2010," said Andy Smith of the UNH Survey Center. "She's also better known and better liked than all the other Republican challengers who have been talked about so far."

Roughly 18 months before the election, 39 percent of voters surveyed said they preferred Ayotte, while 35 percent chose Hodes. But when Hodes was matched hypothetically against other possible GOP contenders, such as Fred Tausch and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, Hodes came out on top

Kelly Ayotte on Facebook:
Freinds of Kelly Ayotte

Kelly Ayotte for U.S. Senate