From the Concord Monitor:

Kelly Ayotte is looking to grab that rarest brass ring in New Hampshire politics. She announced last week that she’s stepping down from her post as attorney general – where she’s become arguably the most powerful Republican in state government – to explore a run for the U.S. Senate.

So far, Ayotte has had an charmed career: She was appointed attorney general by Republican Gov. Craig Benson and by the man who defeated Benson, Democrat John Lynch. Amid an ugly partisan brouhaha, she replaced Peter Heed, who now raves about her, and she was re-confirmed just this spring by a primarily Democratic Executive Council, whose members rave about her responsiveness and apolitical ways. Now, senior U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg is retiring and praising Ayotte as a potential successor.

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