May. 6, 2016 12:20 PM ET

Democrats work to paint NH senator as loyal ally of Trump

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE, Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte casts herself as independent, focused on New Hampshire over party politics in her re-election bid. But now she's trying to fight off a different label, one that Democrats will assign her at every turn: Loyal ally of Donald Trump.

Ayotte's rival, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, pounced even before the dust had settled this past week in Trump's newly clear path to the Republican presidential nomination.

"He is dangerous to the country," Hassan told reporters. "I am appalled that Sen. Ayotte is supporting him, and I think she absolutely will need to be held accountable for Donald Trump's statements and positions."

On Ayotte's tricky path to another term, Trump is a potentially devastating roadblock. Ayotte repeatedly has said she'll support the eventual GOP nominee, but on Trump's first official day as the presumptive nominee her campaign offered a tortured response. She plans to support the nominee — no name mentioned — but as a candidate herself, she will not endorse.
Vulnerable Republicans nationwide are struggling with how to handle Trump, but Ayotte's position may be among the most delicate. New Hampshire tilts Democratic in presidential years, and polling shows Trump is deeply unpopular among New Hampshire voters, including the independents Ayotte desperately needs to support her.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]