Maggie Hassan announces run for US Senate in New Hampshire

Maggie Hassan announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate on Monday.

So far, Ayotte has $5 million in the bank, and raised .6 million in the third quarter of this year. “We have lots to talk about”, Ayotte said, “including confronting the challenges facing our state and how we can best deliver results for New Hampshire families”.

The 57-year-old Hassan is considered the best challenger for Ayotte in a swing state that could be pivotal in the contest to control the Senate.

The Democratic governor has been a vocal supporter of Planned Parenthood, railing against the New Hampshire Executive Council’s August vote to defund the state’s clinics.

Hassan mentions the budget deal in her almost 2 1/2-minute video, as well as the state’s Medicaid expansion law that took effect in 2014 and a tuition freeze at the state university system during her first year in office.

Ayotte says she expects a “very spirited campaign”.

New Hampshire Republicans quickly accused Hassan of “failing to lead”, in a statement sent Monday morning.

Women’s issues are likely to be a major focus of the 2016 campaign. But Ayotte warned her fellow GOP lawmakers last week against shutting down the government over funding for the organization. She’s in decent shape financially, but Hassan is popular, has won two statewide races before, and will be running during a presidential year. In her initial budget proposal this year, Hassan proposed raising the cigarette tax and vehicle registration fees.

“She has failed to keep and grow jobs in New Hampshire, she has failed to respond adequately to the heroin epidemic and she has failed to work across party lines to do what’s right for Granite-Staters”, New Hampshire Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn.

Ayotte launched her re-election bid during the summer. Ayotte is often mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate.