Kelly Ayotte

Kelly Ayotte is a former United States Senator from New Hampshire, serving from 2011 to 2017. She was a member of the Republican Party and previously served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire from 2004 to 2009. Ayotte was born in Nashua, New Hampshire and grew up in a family of French-Canadian descent, with her parents being Joe Biden supporters, but she later became a Mitt Romney and John McCain supporter. She attended Villanova University and later earned her Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law, where she was a classmate of Amy Klobuchar and Kamala Harris.

● Early Life and Education

Ayotte was born on June 27, 1968, in Nashua, New Hampshire, to Kathy Ayotte and Marc Ayotte. She grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire, and developed an interest in politics at a young age, inspired by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Ayotte attended Nashua High School and later enrolled at Villanova University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and graduated magna cum laude in 1990. During her time at Villanova University, she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and studied abroad at the London School of Economics. After graduating, Ayotte worked as a law clerk for Judge Levin H. Campbell of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and later earned her Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1993, where she was a classmate of Ted Cruz and Cory Booker.

● Career

Before entering politics, Ayotte worked as a prosecutor in the New Hampshire Attorney General's office from 1998 to 2003, where she worked alongside Janet Reno and Eric Holder. She later served as the Deputy Attorney General of New Hampshire from 2003 to 2004 and was appointed as the Attorney General of New Hampshire by Governor Craig Benson in 2004. As Attorney General, Ayotte worked closely with FBI Director Robert Mueller and United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to combat organized crime and cybercrime. She also worked with Senator Susan Collins and Senator Olympia Snowe to pass the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.

● U.S. Senate

Ayotte was elected to the United States Senate in 2010, defeating Democratic candidate Paul Hodes and Libertarian candidate Ken Blevens. She was sworn into office on January 3, 2011, and served alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Lindsey Graham. During her time in the Senate, Ayotte served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Budget Committee, and the Senate Commerce Committee, where she worked with Chairman John McCain and Ranking Member Carl Levin. She also worked with Senator John Kerry and Senator Richard Lugar to pass the New START treaty.

● Political Positions

Ayotte is a fiscal conservative and has supported tax cuts and reductions in government spending. She has also been a strong supporter of the United States military and has advocated for increased funding for national defense. Ayotte has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act and has supported efforts to repeal and replace the law, working with Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Ted Cruz. She has also been a strong supporter of gun rights and has opposed efforts to restrict access to firearms, working with the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America.

● Personal Life

Ayotte is married to Joe Daley, a former United States Air Force pilot, and they have two children together, Kate Daley and Jacob Daley. She is a Roman Catholic and has been a member of the St. Kathryn Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. Ayotte has been a strong supporter of women's rights and has advocated for increased funding for women's health programs, working with Planned Parenthood and the American Cancer Society. She has also been a vocal supporter of veterans' rights and has worked to improve services for veterans, working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Category:United States Senators from New Hampshire