TAMPA
– Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) rose to
national and regional prominence during the 2010 wave elections
when she won a tough primary by less than 2,000 votes. Ayotte
defeated a tough field that featured a millionaire businessman and
a well known statewide social conservative who had backing from the
Tea Party. Ayotte, not exactly a social liberal, does have some
libertarian tendencies.

“I really consider myself ‘me,’ and just evaluate every issue by
asking if it is the proper role of government and if it is
consistent with the Constitution,” she said, when asked if she
considers herself a libertarian. “Should this be something that
should be handled by the federal government or the states?”

Ayotte entered the United States Senate at the same time as Rand
Paul (R-Kentucky) and said she enjoys working with him.

“I respect him and I think there are a lot of terrific ideas
that he certainly has on the fiscal state of the country and to get
our fiscal house in order and with limited and accountable
government,” she said.