Democratic incumbents, better funded and with household names, seem to have been given a gift
The Sept. 13 Republican primary was probably the best one the state Democratic Party ever had. Instead of coming out of the election with substantial candidates who could attract support from a wide variety of voters, the GOP contests for major office produced victors on the fringe, with one exception.
Three-term Gov. Chris Sununu easily dispatched several minor opponents, coming at him from the right, to earn the right to seek a fourth term. He will oppose Democratic candidate, Dr. Tom Sherman, another quality candidate, in a contest that will be one of those rare choices for voters, picking the better of two solid choices.
Obviously, there will be policy differences between the candidates, but the state will be in good hands whichever one wins. If they both can keep their campaigns positive, and not say silly things about the other, or worse — like either is an “extreme” whatever — it will be refreshing. Do not bet on that happening, however, since political consultants apparently preach the gospel of negativity and personal attack, which would be beneath both candidates’ real nature.
For the U.S. Senate nomination to face incumbent Maggie Hassan, the Republicans could have chosen experienced Senate President Chuck Morse, adequately funded and having a good record of accomplishment in office. Instead, retired Army Gen.
Don Bolduc, known for his quirky and sometimes outrageous statements, got the nomination, beating Morse, Kevin Smith and other newcomers. Bolduc, to his credit, worked hard, without much outside funding, but comes from the right end of the spectrum to face a well-funded Hassan campaign.
In the two Congressional districts, rightwing Trump supporters Karoline Leavitt, a 25-year-old novice in the 1st District, and Bob Burns in the 2nd, each defeated a number of candidates.
In the 1st, former Russell Prescott, a former executive councilor and state senator, did not show very well, notwithstanding his record of accomplishment in office and as a businessman. Transplant Matt Mowers, the alleged establishment candidate, trailed Leavitt by 10 or so points.
Whether Leavitt and Burns can attract enough money to mount serious campaigns against Chris Pappas and Annie Kuster, the incumbent Democrats, in the short time between now and November, is doubtful. Right-wing candidates who sought to identify themselves with the former president probably will not be the most effective in attracting moderate and independent voters, however.
Writing this a day after the election, it is impossible to know what the legislative results indicate, although at least a couple of the most contentious incumbents apparently lost their seats.
With the newly drawn Senate districts favoring the GOP, the betting is that it will keep majorities in the House and Senate, although there might be coattails from the races higher on the ballot.
There were few races for Executive Council nominations, and the results favored the incumbents, all of whom will be on the ballot, with the four Republicans running in newly formed districts which allegedly favor them, and the lone Democrat, is a district even more Democratic.
The bet is that the GOP advantage will continue after the November contest, but those seats have been known to swing, regardless of design.
In sum, Democratic incumbents, better funded and with household names, seem to have been given a gift in the GOP primary, which could have produced much stronger opponents for the general election. However, in politics, it is never smart to presume anything, and the victors in the GOP contests obviously did something right to survive the primary.
But there was good news. Local voting officials ran their typical quality elections. This writer visited polling places in Manchester, Windham, Bedford, Milford and Amherst, in each of which the moderators, clerks and election workers ran smooth and confidence-inspiring elections.
Seeing the groups of supporters outside each polling place, all polite and cheerful, even when standing next to supporters of those separated by position and party, is always a reminder of the way politics should be, even in the age of nasty, negative advertising and often objectionable and questionable mass mailings.
Looking toward November, voters must remember to vote, and to study the candidates so they know who the people are who want their votes.
Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.
