Exclusive: NH Dems launch ‘Extremists for Ayotte’ coalition, highlighting Ayotte’s far-right allies and endorsements in governor’s race

Following the first New Hampshire governor’s debate this morning, the New Hampshire Democratic Party (NHDP) is launching a new coalition group: “Extremists for Ayotte,” an entity designed to highlight the growing list of far-right individuals and organizations backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte.

The NHDP claims that Ayotte’s campaign has increasingly embraced the most extreme wing of the Republican Party in an attempt to secure her political future, a claim supported by some of Ayotte’s recent moves in the race.

Among the most controversial supporters of Ayotte is Jeremy Kauffman, a leader in New Hampshire’s far-right Libertarian Party. Known for his inflammatory rhetoric and racially charged statements, Kauffman praised Ayotte’s role in confirming Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was among the justices to approve the draft opinion that eventually led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Kauffman joins other high-profile extremists supporting Ayotte, including:

• State Rep. Jon Stone: Stone, a former police officer, was dismissed after allegedly threatening to kill fellow officers following an investigation into his relationship with a teenage girl.
• State Rep. Jess Edwards: Edwards, who has come under fire for remarks about 16-year-old girls being “ripe” and “fertile,” voted against raising the legal marriage age. Ayotte has previously campaigned alongside Edwards at public schools.
• The New England White Network: This white supremacist group expressed enthusiasm for Ayotte, stating that “White Nationalists in New Hampshire look forward to voting for [her].”
• State Rep. Ken Weyler: Weyler, a known conspiracy theorist, has made numerous unverified claims, including stating that the COVID-19 vaccine contains a “living organism with tentacles” and accusing high-ranking Catholic leaders of being “satanists” for promoting public health measures during the pandemic.
• Brittany LeClear-Ping: A member of Moms for Liberty, an organization criticized for its extreme positions, including offering “bounties” on teachers, LeClear-Ping has been featured in Ayotte’s campaign advertisements.

Jack Richter, a spokesperson for the NHDP, condemned Ayotte for cozying up with extreme elements of her party.

“You are the company you keep, and as one extremist after another lines up behind Kelly Ayotte, she’s sending a clear message to Granite Staters that she will proudly stand with the most radical fringes of her party if she thinks it will advance her political career,” Richter stated. “Ayotte cannot be a governor for all Granite Staters while courting dangerous extremists, white supremacists, and conspiracy theorists.”