Shown from left, gubernatorial candidates Kelly Ayotte, Joyce Craig and Stephen Villee squared off in the Sept. 25 debate hosted by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy photo/Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce

NASHUA – In the razor-thin race for governor, candidates Joyce Craig and Kelly Ayotte recently locked horns in Nashua over topics ranging from the state budget to public education.

Libertarian candidate Stephen Villee also took part in the on Sept. 25 debate hosted by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce.

Regarding the budget, Craig said that during her six-year tenure as mayor of Manchester, she made significant investments in public safety, education and infrastructure.

“I’m the only candidate in this race who actually has put forward a $400 million budget,” said Craig, who is running on the Democratic ticket. “My budget put more police officers on the street than ever before in the history of Manchester.”

She also said violent crime in the Queen City dropped by 40 percent under her administration and that she garnered more than $100 million in federal funds to create thousands of jobs.

“That’s the same approach that I will bring to the Governor’s Office. I’ve done this work, I understand the challenges at the local level,” said Craig. “What’s very clear to me is that Sen. Ayotte doesn’t understand what’s happening in our state and in our communities.”

In response, Ayotte, who is running on the Republican ticket, said Craig implemented a tax increase every year while she was in office.

“The last thing we’re going to do in a challenging budget environment is increase taxes,” said Ayotte, adding that residents are already burdened by inflation. “That’s not how we’re going to balance the budget in New Hampshire.”

Villee acknowledged the state’s current financial obstacles.

“It’s going to be challenging to balance the budget, there may have to be some cuts,” he said.

Villee said he would rely heavily on guidance from those familiar with the budget process, particularly former legislators Daniel and Carol McGuire.

Speaking about New Hampshire’s housing crisis, Craig scolded Ayotte for being on the Board of Directors of the Blackstone Group, the largest corporate property owner in the nation. Ayotte receives an annual salary of $150,000 and has been on the board since 2019.

“This corporation has been jacking up rents and pushing people out of their homes,” said Craig. “I’ve been on the front lines helping people get homes while she has been doing what she needs to do to benefit herself. We cannot trust Kelly Ayotte.”

Craig also said the state needs to add 60,000 housing units by 2030.

“I’m the only candidate in this race that has put forward a comprehensive plan to address the housing crisis,” she said, adding that she bolstered Manchester’s housing stock by 2,000 units. “I understand what needs to happen to get this done.”

Ayotte defended Blackstone, saying the company owns two hotels and one student housing development in New Hampshire. Therefore, it does not impact the state’s housing market.

“This is the problem with Mayor Craig, she always attacks the private sector,” said Ayotte. “We need the private sector at the table.”

She also said the approval process for a state building permit is far too cumbersome and should be no longer than 60 days.

“We’re going to overhaul that process,” said Ayotte, adding that she would review state-owned properties as possible housing locations.

Villee said he favors putting a limit on lot sizes for homes that do not have access to sewers.

However, he does not support tax credits.

“If you give someone a tax credit then someone else just has to pay more,” said Villee.

On the topic of education, Ayotte said improvements are needed in mathematics, science and reading.

“We have to do things differently because we’re not getting the results that we need for the children of this state,” she said.

Ayotte said the Manchester School District received a poor assessment after Craig left office.

“They were ranked as some of the worst schools in the state,” said Ayotte.

She said bureaucracy has no place in the state’s public schools. Rather, the standards for student achievement should be higher.

In response, Craig said that during her time as mayor, she pushed for smaller class sizes, new curriculum and more professional development classes for teachers.

Craig also said her daughter is in her third year teaching English at Hillside Middle School in Manchester.

“I know how hard it is right now for educators,” she said.

Citing the continued lack of state funding, Craig said the public schools are not supported by Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut.

“On day one, I’ll be asking for Frank Edelblut’s resignation,” said Craig. “I will ensure that we have an education commissioner who understands and appreciates public education.”

Villee said public school funding should not rest on the shoulders of taxpayers.

He would also want Article 83 of the New Hampshire Constitution to be amended to say that children are not automatically entitled to a public education.

“I know, of course, that’s very unpopular,” said Villee.

On the topic of affordable child care, Villee said state assistance is permissible provided it does not trigger a tax hike.

“It shouldn’t be about what the governor wants, it should be about what the people want,” he said.

Craig said the state spends too much time on background checks for prospective child care employees. As a result, she said applicants typically do not have time to wait and find employment elsewhere.

“That needs to change,” she said.

Craig also said 50 percent of families who apply for the state’s child care scholarship are rejected.

“The process is so tough, we need to make this easy,” she said.

Craig said money for child care is available through the federal CHIPS and Science Act.

“As governor, I will go after that funding,” she said.

Ayotte responded saying the scholarship program has been expanded during the past two years to accept more applicants and that many businesses want to offer on-site child care.

As of Sept. 19, the state poll from the University of New Hampshire showed Craig with 47 percent of the vote, Ayotte with 46 percent and Villee with less than one percent.