Embattled GOP congressman: 'I give Kelly Ayotte the edge'

By Sarah Westwood, Sarah Westwood

Published December 20, 2015

If New Hampshire Rep. Frank Guinta has any hard feelings about criticism from Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a fellow Granite State Republican he didn't let it show. Instead he praised Ayotte in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

Ayotte, who is expected to face a fierce battle for her Senate seat, publicly called for Guinta's resignation in May, one week after the embattled congressmen reached a settlement with the Federal Election Commission over a controversial campaign loan from his first congressional bid in 2010.

"I think most people feel that she's done a good job," Guinta said of Ayotte. "I think it'll be a competitive race, there's no question about it."

New Hampshire's Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan officially challenged Ayotte last week, prompting speculation that the race could become one of the most contentious in the country this cycle.