ICYMI: Cinde Warmington Visits Exeter on Cut the Costs Tour

EXETER, NH — In Case You Missed It, Democratic nominee for governor Cinde Warmington continued her Cut the Costs tour with a stop in Exeter last week, where she talked with small businesses about the crushing cost of the Trump-Ayotte economy and shared her vision for a better, more affordable New Hampshire.

While in Exeter, Cinde heard firsthand how Donald Trump’s tariffs are squeezing local businesses. As governor, Cinde will push for tariff refunds, join other states challenging the Trump administration’s illegal tariffs in court, and work to repair New Hampshire’s relationship with Canada — unlike Kelly Ayotte, who continues to cower in the corner office and stand by Trump’s reckless agenda.

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WMUR: Cinde Warmington on New Hampshire housing affordability

Today, Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington toured businesses in Exeter. She says, if elected, she wants to take action on several affordability-related issues.
“First thing, we're going to attack the housing crisis in this state. We know that the Housing Champions Program was working. We're going to make sure that we are funding that appropriately to help communities to build the density of housing that we need to address this issue.”
Warmington says if elected, she’ll also pursue a temporary suspension of the state’s gas tax.

Seacoast Online: Warmington challenges Gov. Ayotte on tariffs as NH election nears

Cinde Warmington, the Democratic candidate for governor, said Wednesday, Sept. 30 that if negotiation with the federal government regarding tariffs doesn’t work, she would “absolutely” sue the federal government as governor. And she criticized incumbent Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte for not taking the same position.
Warmington, who stopped by several Exeter businesses, is facing Ayotte in the Nov. 3 election. Both have made a point of expressing support for small businesses in New Hampshire, which have been hit by tariffs and have seen a decrease in tourism. Tariffs have played a significant role in the 2026 midterm election cycle as the economy remains one of the top issues on Americans’ minds.
Enna Grazier, the owner of Enna's Chocolate in Exeter, speaks about her Front Street business to Democratic candidate for governor, Cinde Warmington, on Sept. 30, 2026.
In an interview on Sept. 30, Warmington said “other governors are standing up and fighting back, and I would stand up and fight back as governor,” referring to the 25 states that sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade on Aug. 3.
When asked how she would lower costs for small businesses, which make up 99% of businesses in the Granite State, Warmington responded, “standing up to Donald Trump on tariffs … and suing him when necessary about this to get those refunds, which businesses are now starting to get in our state.” She said tariffs have been driving up a lot of these small businesses’ costs.
Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington listens as Enna Grazier, the owner of Enna's Chocolate in Exeter, speaks about her business on Sept. 30, 2026.
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Enna Grazier, a Democratic candidate for a seat representing Exeter in the New Hampshire House, runs a small-batch chocolate factory and cafe on Front Street in Exeter. She said Ayotte can take steps to advocate on behalf of small business owners.
Grazier, who imports many products for her business from Canada, said the latest Canadian tariffs are “outrageous” and the governor can advocate for small businesses by pressuring the federal government to eliminate tariffs.
Her favorite organic powdered milk product is from California, but she said she has been struggling to get it recently, and the other dairy company that makes organic powdered milk in the U.S. has stopped production. Grazier said Canada has good regulations on organic certifications, but buying dairy from Canada recently has been “completely unaffordable.” The U.S. enacted a 50% tariff on Canadian dairy products in August.
The cost of powdered milk, she says, has increased by 50% over the last two to three years, she said. Organic cane sugar also increased by 50%, and cacao — an ingredient that does not grow in the continental U.S. — costs 300% more than three years ago.
Ultimately, she said, she has had to increase the cost of retail products by 10-15%, over the last year.
Grazier wants to see more financial support in the form of low-interest loans or grants, which she acknowledges would be federally funded but can be advocated for by the state government. She added that small businesses shouldn’t have to absorb the economic impact of tariffs, which she called “essentially a tax on the end consumer.”
“Here we are in my chocolate shop talking about chocolate and coffee, which are both kind of luxury goods, but the reality is these policies affect any type of business in this state,” Grazier said. “There's a lot of small businesses who are doing really exciting things, and I'd like to see them better supported by policy.”