(MyKeeneNow) – Voters across New Hampshire went to the polls yesterday and selected candidates for key races in the November general election.

Former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte won the Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating Chuck Morse, while former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, beating Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington. The two will face off in November for the governor’s seat, marking the first open gubernatorial race in eight years due to Governor Chris Sununu’s decision not to seek a fifth term.

Ayotte, New Hampshire’s first female attorney general and a one-term U.S. Senator, campaigned on continuing Sununu’s economic policies and a strong stance on crime and immigration. Craig, Manchester’s first female mayor, leveraged her city leadership experience, despite criticisms of her handling of homelessness and crime.

In the 2nd Congressional District race, Maggie Goodlander won the Democratic primary against Colin Van Ostern. Goodlander, who is married to President Biden’s national security advisor Jake Sullivan, will face Republican nominee Lily Tang Williams, who won a crowded GOP primary.

Goodlander’s decisive victory over Van Ostern reflected widespread support across the district, which spans from western and northern New Hampshire to the Monadnock Region. With 94 percent of the vote counted, Goodlander secured 64 percent compared to Van Ostern’s 36 percent, according to the Associated Press. She also led in the Monadnock Region, with a vote count of 4,930 to Van Ostern’s 2,949.

The congressional seat became open following six-term Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster’s decision to retire. Kuster endorsed Van Ostern, her former campaign manager and a former New Hampshire executive councilor.

In the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District, Lily Tang Williams secured 35 percent of the vote, outpacing Vikram Mansharamani, who garnered 27 percent, according to the Associated Press. Tang Williams, a real estate investor, showed strong support in key areas, including Concord and Nashua, although Mansharamani led in Keene.

Cinde Warmington, who performed well in her Executive Council district, lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to Craig. With nearly all votes counted, Craig defeated Warmington 58,154 to 51,141, with Newmarket restaurant owner Jon Kiper receiving 11,558 votes, the Associated Press reported.

In Cheshire County, Benjamin Tilton won the Democratic primary for County Commissioner District 1 against James Duffy. Tilton, a former state representative and retired educator, will face Skipper DiBernardo, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary. The winner will represent Chesterfield, Fitzwilliam, Hinsdale, Richmond, Swanzey, Troy, and Winchester.

In District 3, Democrat Richard Van Wickler of Stoddard will compete against Republican Claudia R. Stewart of Rindge for the commission seat, with both running unopposed in their respective primaries.

Karen Liot Hill won the Democratic nomination for District 2 of the N.H. Executive Council, beating Michael Liberty. She will face Republican Kim Strathdee, who secured her party’s nomination with almost 8,900 votes.

In District 5, Democrat Melanie Levesque won decisively over Shoshanna Kelly and will face Republican incumbent David Wheeler in November. District 5 includes Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Richmond, Rindge, Stoddard, Swanzey and Troy.

In Cheshire County House District 18, Democrats Hannah Bissex and Tom Hsu won their primary and will compete against Republicans James Qualey and Rita Mattson. Bissex led with 893 votes, and Hsu followed with 666 votes, while Jed Brummer, who finished third, had 534 votes.

All other races were uncontested.

For a breakdown of Town-by-Town results in Cheshire County, refer to the Wednesday morning report on My Keene Now.