During a forum hosted by the Tuck School of Business, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte and New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan discussed fundamental issues at the intersection of business and government.
Competing in arguably one of the country’s closest U.S. Senate races, incumbent U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte and her democratic challenger N.H. Governor Maggie Hassan engaged in a discussion Thursday afternoon in Tuck's Cook Auditorium about key issues including Syria, trade policy, globalization, and the importance of women in public life.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dean Matthew Slaughter and former New Hampshire governor John Lynch, senior fellow for the Center for Business, Government & Society (CBGS). “It’s a real honor to host this forum,” said Dean Slaughter. “Our mission at Tuck is to educate wise leaders to better the world of business. … Forums such as this event are vital for allowing a free and fulsome exchange of ideas between our elected representatives and us, their constituents.”
Emily Blanchard, associate professor of business administration, moderated the discussion, often asking the candidates questions of interest to MBA students who are preparing to enter the business world. Students had the opportunity to ask questions during the forum and also meet with both candidates prior to and after the event.
Regarding women in public service, both candidates were in clear agreement. Ayotte noted that she was the first female attorney general in New Hampshire and “that may be helpful for other women to realize what is possible.”
“My 11-year-old daughter, for example, looks at the world differently,” she said. “She thinks it is obvious that she could become president.”
“Girls and women need to see women operating in public office at all levels so they can envision themselves there,” agreed Hassan.
Coordinated by CBGS fellow Katelyn Baldwin T’17, the event was co-sponsored by the Center for Business, Government & Society, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences, the Tuck Initiative for Women, and the Tuck Business and Politics Club.
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View the full forum.