Kelly Ayotte (Republican) defeated Paul Hodes (Democrat) in the 2010 senate elections in New Hampshire. Paul Hodes was representing New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district since 2007 in the United States House of Representatives. Kelly Ayotte was the first woman Attorney General of New Hampshire and was in office during 2004-2009.
Comparison chart
 | Kelly Ayotte | Paul Hodes |
|---|---|---|
| Position on Immigration | Enforcement of existing immigration laws. | Tough, practical and fair immigration laws. |
| Position on National Security | Terrorists should be treated as terrorists and not as ordinary criminals. | Strengthen American troops in order to fight the global war against terrorism. |
| Position on Energy | Increased conservation and expansion of domestic energy sources. | Use of alternative forms of energy that would reduce foreign dependence on oil. |
| Age | 42 | 59 |
| Date of birth | 1968 | March 21, 1951 |
| Political Party | Republican | Democratic |
| Preceded by | Peter Heed | Charlie Bass |
| Succeeded by | Michael Delaney | - |
| Website | http://www.ayotteforsenate.com/ | http://paulhodesforsenate.com/splash/020210 |
| Spouse(s) | Joseph Ayotte | Peggo Horstmann Hodes |
| Residence | Nashua, New Hampshire | Concord, New Hampshire |
| Alma Mater | Pennsylvania State University (BA) Villanova University School of Law (J.D) | Boston College Law School (JD) Dartmouth College (AB) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman & politician | Attorney |
| Current Position | - | Member of United States House of Representatives |
| Serves on committees | - | Financial services, Oversight and Government Reforms |
| Position on health care | Does not support Healthcare Reform | Supports the Healthcare Reform |
| Position on economy | New opportunities for small businesses. | Creation of good paying jobs is top priority. |
Economic Policy
Paul Hodes has been instrumental in passing the stimulus package that saved and created jobs in New Hampshire and the US. He was also responsible for passing the middle class tax cut and property tax relief to seniors. Paul Hodes voted against the Wall Street bailouts.
Kelly Ayotte believes that small businesses can create jobs and get the economy back on its feet. She stands for lowering taxes on small businesses, reducing regulations for their unhindered growth and supporting them throughout in order to create employment opportunities.
Healthcare
Paul Hodes supports President Obama's Healthcare Reform. A public option of healthcare insurance would enable small businesses to afford quality health care for employees. Losing a job should not result in the loss of healthcare insurance as well.
Kelly Ayotte opposes the Healthcare Reform stating that raising of taxes will make it more difficult for small businesses to afford healthcare insurance and that the reforms actually pave way for rationing of health care. She is also against the cut imposed on Medicare for seniors that the reforms introduce.
Energy Policy
Paul Hodes believes that alternate sources of energy should be used to power the economy. This would give rise to green collar jobs and pave way for reducing the dependence of America on foreign oil.
Kelly Ayotte believes that US has many untapped reserves of oil and natural gas which can be responsibly used. This would ensure environmental balance as well as bring about an increase in domestic energy production which would in turn create job opportunities.
Immigration
Paul Hodes believes that immigration policy should be tough and practical as well as fair. The border patrol has to be strengthened and existing immigration laws should be enforced. He feels that illegal immigrants should not be held as criminals and deported due to loop holes in the enforcement of immigration laws.
Kelly Ayotte also believes that existing immigration laws have to be enforced strongly prior to bringing about a visa system in support of the law.
Early Life and Career
Paul Hodes was born in New York City and graduated from The Collegiate School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and got a degree in law from Boston College Law School. He was Assistant Attorney General of New Hampshire from 1979 to 1982. Paul Hodes defeated Bass in the Second Congressional district election in 2006. He was reelected in 2008.
Kelly Ayotte took office as Attorney General of New Hampshire in 2004. She is known for being a tough crime prosecutor and she cracked down on Internet predators and sexual predators. She was named as the 2008 New Hampshire Citizen of the Year by the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Hodes vs. Ayotte Opinion Polls
Kelly Ayotte has been leading this senate campaign from the beginning. Hodes has to catch up with a boost in his campaign to fight this election.[1]
Hodes (D) vs. Ayotte (R)
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Paul Hodes | Kelly Ayotte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | September 15, 2010 | 44% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 11-12, 2010 | 43% | 47% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 5, 2010 | 38% | 51% |
| WMUR Granite State Poll | July 19-27, 2010 | 37% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23-25, 2010 | 42% | 45% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 12, 2010 | 37% | 49% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 11, 2010 | 38% | 50% |
| Granite State Poll | April 12–21, 2010 | 32% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17-18, 2010 | 40% | 47% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 7, 2010 | 35% | 50% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 8, 2010 | 37% | 47% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 10, 2010 | 39% | 46% |
| Research 2000 | February 1-3, 2010 | 39% | 46% |
| Granite State Poll | January 27-February 3, 2010 | 33% | 41% |
| Rasmussen Reports | January 12, 2010 | 40% | 49% |
| American Research Group | December 29, 2009 | 36% | 43% |
| Granite State Poll | October 2, 2009 | 33% | 40% |
| American Research Group | September 30, 2009 | 34% | 41% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 14,2009 | 38% | 46% |
| Research 2000 | July 13–July 15, 2009 | 38% | 39% |
| Granite State Poll | June 24–July 1, 2009 | 35% | 39% |
Joe Sestak 
Robin Carnahan 
Alexi Giannoulias 
Democrat 
Conservative
Comments: Kelly Ayotte vs Paul Hodes