“It’s not that,” she said. “It’s just that that’s the choice we have in this election. And I certainly think the country was better off just in terms of costs and what we were paying and safety when he was in office.”

After Ayotte repeatedly declined to comment specifically on Trump’s criminal convictions, Craig chimed in, using her time on her next question to get back on topic.

“Where do you draw the line, Kelly, with Donald Trump? Is it when he sexually assaults women? Is it when he posts about Hitler? Or when they try to subvert democracy?” said Craig, the former mayor of Manchester. “There is no line with Kelly Ayotte.”

Ayotte responded with questions of her own.

“Who will fight for New Hampshire no matter what? Who will even resist their party when the going gets tough?” she said. “I did it. I was the third most bipartisan senator in the United States Senate. I have never hesitated to cross the aisle to do the right thing for New Hampshire.”

Ayotte pointed to Craig’s frequent campaigning with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey as evidence that Craig prioritizes her party and what she characterized as “higher taxes, less freedom.”

“Why is he spending so much time with the governor of Massachusetts when he wants to represent the people of New Hampshire?” Ayotte said.

Craig described his commitment to New Hampshire by saying he is a fourth-generation resident who joined the governor’s race to help New Hampshire families. As for Healey, she said part of being governor is working with other New England governors on important topics like energy. But neither was willing to stop there, talking over each other at one point.

“You’re never going to rise because you’re a party line person. I stood up to my party and I will do it again,” Ayotte said, while Craig said: “You are supporting a convicted felon for president. He is not fit to be president.”

Ayotte and Craig are vying to become New Hampshire’s third elected female governor, filling the seat vacated by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who is not seeking a fifth two-year term.