DGA - Democratic Governors Association

08/14/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2024 08:30

Front Page Report: Kelly Ayotte Collect Checks From US’s Largest LandlordLatest News Year in Review

Front Page Report: Kelly Ayotte Collect Checks From US's Largest Landlord

Ayotte Paid More than Half A MIllion Dollars As A Board Member, Owns Millions in Stocks

A new front page report from the Union Leader reveals that Republican candidate for governor Kelly Ayotte "serves on the board of and owns extensive stock in Blackstone, a private equity firm that critics say has a history of buying distressed properties, raising rents, evicting tenants and managing some apartment complexes with deplorable conditions."

Since joining the board in 2019, Ayotte has made over half a million dollars working for Blackstone, and "owns more than 16,500 shares of stock valued at $2.2 million," according to the Union Leader's report. Since losing her reelection campaign in 2016, Ayotte has served on several boards of private companies where she has "netted millions."

According to the Union Leader, Blackstone owns "a large housing complex in South Nashua, apartments in Durham near the University of New Hampshire and a student housing project in Lebanon." As the Union Leader reports, New Hampshire "housing costs have been rising significantly and consistently," "with a median home price of $550,000." Housing experts have accused Blackstone of "exploiting tenants and 'wreaking havoc' in communities."

"As New Hampshire families are priced out of homes and struggle to pay their rent, Kelly Ayotte has been part of the problem, profiting off a company that has bought up homes and jacked up prices," said DGA States Press Secretary Emma O'Brien. "Granite Staters are desperate for real solutions to their state's housing crisis. The years Kelly Ayotte has spent lining her pockets advising a company that snapped up properties and forced out tenants is yet more proof that New Hampshire families can't trust her to do what's right."

Read the full story here.

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