Josh Rogers

The former Massachusetts Republican senator's monthslong flirtation with Granite State voters has powered plenty of speculation, and Thursday's event only fanned it.

For the first time in U.S. history, the congressional representation of a state will be made up entirely of women. It's a first that follows a pattern in New Hampshire, where Gov.-elect Maggie Hassan says voters share the "ability to make decisions regardless of gender."

There are 11 gubernatorial races this fall, and one of the most competitive is in the swing state of New Hampshire. Out-of-state money and political muscle are flowing into the race, which both candidates say amounts to a stark choice on social and fiscal issues.

The Obama campaign is trying to link Republican Mitt Romney to controversial moves by the New Hampshire state Legislature on women's health. But Romney has a strong advocate in Sen. Kelly Ayotte in a state that could potentially have a female governor and an all-female congressional delegation next year.

Until the current fight over a similar federal regulation, the New Hampshire law requiring contraceptive coverage was on the books for more than a decade without controversy. Now Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to carve out a religious exemption.

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire has been nominated by President Obama to serve as commerce secretary. The state's governor says he will appoint Republican Bonnie Newman to fill Gregg's seat, should he be confirmed.

In part two of All Things Considered's look at abortion today, we look at a New Hampshire abortion notification law case before the Supreme Court and public opinion. Then, we take a broader look at other abortion-related cases that might come before the high court in the future.