Ayotte, who unendorsed Trump in 2016, now says he's right choice for White House
Former senator says she no longer supports pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Former senator says she no longer supports pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Former senator says she no longer supports pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Republican candidate for governor Kelly Ayotte said Friday that she believes Donald Trump is the right choice for president after she withdrew her endorsement of him in 2016.
Ayotte, then a U.S. senator, withdrew her endorsement of Trump after the "Access Hollywood" tape came to light, revealing comments he made about grabbing women.
"I think those statements are fundamentally talking, unfortunately, about assault," Ayotte said at the time.
In an interview Friday for "CloseUP," Ayotte was asked if she still stands by her un-endorsement of Trump.
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"As you know, we had our differences in 2016, but I think as we look at where we are as a country right now, there's no question he's the right choice for the White House – and just the contrast between the two administrations, especially on this border issue," Ayotte said.
Ayotte is also fending off criticism in the primary from the right. Some conservatives have seized on her 2013 support for an immigration bill that included a pathway to citizenship.
"I'm going to be strong on keeping this state safe, making sure that we protect the citizens of this state, and we're not going to become a sanctuary state," she said.
She said she no longer supports a pathway to citizenship that she had described as "tough but fair."
"Let me just say I don't, because if you look at what happened in the Biden administration, with millions of people coming over the border unvetted – obviously, we're in a position just looking over our southern border at Massachusetts, a billion dollars spent on housing illegal immigrants?" she said.
Ayotte is also reiterating her support for New Hampshire's current abortion law and said that as governor, she would defend access to IVF fertility treatments.
"There's just been complete lies told about this," she said. "I have never voted to restrict that treatment."