Ayotte and Warmington clash over opioids and data centers

Debate in Manchester

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington debated in Manchester, New Hampshire on October twenty-ninth, two thousand twenty-six, days before Election Day.

Three main topics

The candidates clashed over opioid oversight, data center regulations and energy policy in a sometimes testy debate hosted by WMUR-TV.

Ayotte attacks Warmington's opioid work

Ayotte mentioned four times that Warmington worked as a lobbyist for Purdue Pharma, the company that made OxyContin. Warmington countered that Ayotte had her own history with the drugmaker.

Warmington's Purdue Pharma role

Warmington worked as a lawyer and lobbyist for Purdue Pharma in two thousand one and two thousand two as a junior lawyer.

“She has spent her career as an opioid lobbyist.”

Ayotte's record as attorney general

Warmington noted that Ayotte did not join a lawsuit by twenty-six state attorneys general against Purdue Pharma in two thousand seven.

Data center bills stalled

Warmington said Ayotte had the opportunity to support a data center moratorium and guardrails bills in the last legislative session but did nothing to bring them forward.

Warmington on taxes

Ayotte claimed Warmington would not commit to banning an income or sales tax. Warmington said at the debate she would oppose both and veto either if it reached her desk.

“I will oppose an income tax. I oppose a sales tax, and if it were to come to my desk, I would veto it.”

Net zero emissions dispute

Ayotte said Warmington's plan would eliminate fossil fuels.Warmington denied this, saying net zero means balancing emissions rather than eliminating them.

“She cannot get away with standing here and saying that net zero means eliminating fossil fuels.”