CONCORD, NH – Kelly Ayotte’s national profile is on the rise again after a convincing gubernatorial run electoral victory last week in New Hampshire, where she pledged to be a “champion” for her constituents and work with the new Trump administration on key issues.

“I see a role for myself and that is every day, waking up and being a champion for the people of New Hampshire,” the governor-elect said in an interview with Fox News Digital at her transition office this week in the capital. of the state. city.

And Ayotte, who last week defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Manchester, New Hampshire, mayor, Joyce Craig, by an unexpected margin of nearly 10 points, stressed that she plans to “focus on economic issues, education, mental health and housing”, when it is inaugurated in early January.

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Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Republican candidate for governor of New Hampshire, celebrates her gubernatorial victory on election night, November 5, 2024. (Kelly Ayotte Campaign)

Regarding former and future President Trump, Ayotte said, “I look forward to working with the Trump administration on behalf of the people of New Hampshire, whether it’s its roads, its bridges , or its areas where we can strengthen our public security. I think there are so many opportunities where we should be working together, and I’m going to advocate for the people of this state.”

Ayotte, a former state attorney general, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 and was a rising star in the Republican Party and considered a leader on national security and foreign policy.

But Ayotte lost his reelection bid in 2016 by a razor-thin margin of just over 1,000 votes to then-Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.

“It was a privilege to represent New Hampshire in the United States Senate, but I was elected governor of the state of New Hampshire and every day I’m just going to wake up and say ‘what can I do for New Hampshire today,'” Ayotte said when asked about any new emerging role as GOP leader.

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Ayotte launched his gubernatorial bid last year after popular Republican Gov. Chris Sununu announced he would not run for re-election in 2024.

Sununu, a well-known figure in national politics, endorsed Ayotte in early August before his easy victory in the GOP gubernatorial primary in September.

The governor often joined Ayotte on the campaign trail in late summer and fall, and Ayotte stressed that she planned to continue the Sununu program.

Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte (left) and Governor Chris Sununu (right) meet in the New Hampshire Governor’s Office at the Statehouse in Concord, NH on November 7, 2024. (New Hampshire Governor’s Office)

“I think Governor Sununu has done a great job for the state of New Hampshire. We lead the nation in many areas,” she told Fox News.

But she added that “what I love most about Governor Sununu is the passion, the positive enthusiasm that he brings for this state. He loves this state. He is so proud of New Hampshire. And I will bring the same thing.” attitude as governor, truly being a champion for the people of New Hampshire. »

“We are obviously different people, but I share his philosophy on the economic prosperity of the state and the emphasis on personal and economic freedom,” Ayotte emphasized.

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Ayotte said her years of service in Washington will serve her well when she takes over in the Granite State governor’s office.

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Republican candidate for governor, is surrounded by supporters as she files her candidacy at the Secretary of State’s office, June 13, 2024, in Concord, NH. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

“Having the experience of having served in Washington, I will definitely fight hard for New Hampshire when it comes to interacting with the Trump administration,” she said. “Those federal dollars — making sure they get to New Hampshire. But also, when Washington does things on the regulatory side, I want to make sure New Hampshire’s voice is at that table.”

Ayotte broke with Trump, then the Republican Party presidential nominee, just before the 2016 election. She withdrew her support for Trump over the “Access Hollywood” controversy, which featured Trump in a years-old video , had made extremely crude comments about arresting women without their consent.

“I cannot and will not support a presidential candidate who brags about degrading and assaulting women,” Ayotte said at the time.

Although they both lost in New Hampshire, Ayotte slightly outperformed Trump in the state, with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton trailing the White House winner by less than 3,000 votes.

Before returning full-time to New Hampshire, Ayotte stayed briefly in Washington after her term ended, guiding then-Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch (Trump’s first high court nominee) through his Senate confirmation process.

While running for governor over the past two years in a state where New Hampshire’s early presidential primary repeatedly drew Trump and other Republican candidates to the White House, Ayotte kept her distance from the national political conversation.

She remained neutral in the New Hampshire presidential primary, but supported Trump after he blocked the nomination. She did not appear with Trump’s running mate — now Vice President-elect JD Vance — when the Ohio senator made a last-minute stop in the Granite State days before Election Day.

But Ayotte told Fox News “I obviously want to congratulate President Trump on his very strong victory on Election Day.”

Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Asked this week about some of the president-elect’s controversial Cabinet appointment announcements, Ayotte said “it’s important that he builds a team that works for him.”

But the former senator stressed that “this is really a decision that is up to the United States Senate. They have an important role in advice and consent. I am sure they will carefully consider President Trump’s nominees and will assure that they believe. that they are qualified. »

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Ayotte, in the GOP gubernatorial primary, easily defeated former New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse, who touted his support for Trump and questioned Ayotte’s loyalty to the former president. Morse’s hope of gaining Trump’s support never materialized, as the former president remained neutral.

He also helped Ayotte as she ran for governor — a helping hand from the Republican Governors Association, which shelled out nearly $21 million to support Ayotte. Most of the funding came in the final two months of the race, but the RGA actually invested $2.75 million in preschool.

The RGA – unlike the rival Democratic Governors Association – sent its resources directly to Ayotte’s campaign from the start of its involvement in the race, rather than taking the traditional route of having its funding handled by a committee independent expenses.