Ayotte and Warmington Debate New Hampshire Data Center Policy and Other Issues
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic candidate Cinde Warmington debated data center policy during a gubernatorial debate in Manchester. Warmington criticized Ayotte for not supporting proposed data center moratorium and restriction bills, while Ayotte defended her position and cited opposition to projects in Nottingham and Bow.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cinde Warmington sparred over data center policy during their second debate at Harpoon Brewery in Manchester. Warmington said Ayotte had failed to support Senate Democratic legislation seeking a moratorium and other restrictions on data centers, while Ayotte said she lacked the legal authority to unilaterally prohibit new facilities through an executive order.
Warmington also criticized Ayotte for signing a 2025 law allowing data centers to locate anywhere in the state as off-grid facilities. Ayotte said she had opposed data center proposals in Nottingham and Bow and defended her broader record on state policy. The debate addressed several other issues, including school funding, housing and marijuana legalization, with two additional debates scheduled for the following week.