Republican former Sen. Kelly Ayotte will win the New Hampshire governor’s race, CNN projects, completing a political comeback eight years after she lost her Senate seat. Ayotte defeated Democratic former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig in the race to replace outgoing GOP Gov.

The New Hampshire governor's race comes down to one candidate who is trying to jump from local to statewide office and another who wants to bring federal experience to the Statehouse.

Ms. Ayotte entered the race with greater name recognition than the Democrat, Joyce Craig, and was seen as a natural successor to Gov. Chris Sununu, a moderate Republican.