Editor's note: The following is a weekly look at the various state and federal races, leading up to the 2008 election.
A poll released last week by the University of New Hampshire's Survey Center showed that Democrat Jeanne Shaheen is running strong in her effort to unseat Republican Sen. John Sununu.
The poll gave Shaheen a 52 to 40 edge over Sununu in the rematch of their 2002 race. The survey of 500 registered voters had a margin of error of 4.4 points.
The poll also showed that in the 1st District Congressional race, incumbent Democrat Carol Shea-Porter is trailing former Congressman Jeb Bradley, but leading John Stephen, her other potential Republican opponent.
In a matchup between Shea-Porter and Bradley, 45 percent of voters said they would vote for Bradley, compared to 39 percent for Shea-Porter.
But Shea-Porter fares much better when pitted against Stephen, the former Department of Health and Human Services commissioner. Some 43 percent of likely voters said they would vote for her, compared to 35 percent for Stephen.
"Currently, Jeb Bradley is much better known than John Stephen, and this is reflected in matchups with Carol Shea-Porter," said Andy Smith, director of the Survey Center. "Stephen faces a difficult challenge in getting 1st District voters to know who he is before he can convince voters, particularly Republicans, that he is the man to beat Shea-Porter."
In the 2nd District, the poll showed that incumbent Democrat Paul Hodes would fare very well against two of his most well-heeled potential challengers.
In a head-to-head matchup with Republican state Sen. Bob Clegg of Hudson, 51 percent of voters said they would vote for Hodes, compared to 24 percent for Clegg. If he were to face Jennifer Horn, the former Nashua radio host and newspaper columnist, voters favored Hodes 52 percent to 25 percent.
The poll did not ask about head-to-head matchups with Republican candidates Jim Steiner or Grant Bosse, focusing instead on the two Republicans who have raised the most money thus far.
Bosse makes stops in Windham, Pelham
Speaking of Bosse, he visited Windham and Pelham on Thursday, meeting with town officials and senior citizens, and even making a stop at a local gun shop.
Bosse, a former legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John Sununu, started his day in Windham, swinging by the town offices, the police station and the fire station before holding a meet and greet at the Windham Senior Center. From there, it was off to the Pelham Senior Center, which was holding its annual Mother's Day Lunch. He then met with the fire chief, the police chief and the town administrator.
Before leaving town, he also stopped by Affordable Firearms on Bridge Street in Pelham. Bosse is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms, and is touring "every gun shop and Fish and Game in the state," according to Lee Bosse, his father and volunteer scheduler.
Clegg picks up big-name support
Clegg was endorsed by three prominent New Hampshire figures on Thursday.
Former Gov. Walter Peterson, Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams and Merrimack County Commissioner J.D. Colcord all said they are backing the state senator.
"As a state senator, Bob Clegg was a strong advocate for law enforcement. Senator Clegg promised to fight for New Hampshire children and he did so effectively," Reams said. "Senator Clegg was instrumental in salvaging the new tougher sentencing provisions of the Child Protection Act when the House had watered down those provisions."
Business leaders endorse Bradley
Bradley picked up an endorsement last week from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The organization cited their shared beliefs in economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive government as reasons for the endorsement.
"Having worked with Jeb, I know that he will work tirelessly for the interests of New Hampshire's business community," said Ray Pinard of Northwood, a member of the U.S. chamber's board of directors. "Proven leaders are needed in Washington to fight for lower taxes, simplification of the tax code, affordable market-based health care, and a rational energy plan — and that's Jeb."
House Minority Leader backs Horn
Horn, the former Nashua radio host and newspaper columnist seeking Hodes's seat, recently received an endorsement of her own. New Hampshire House Minority Leader Pam Price announced this month that she is backing Horn.
Stephen to tour state tomorrow
Stephen, the former state Department of Health and Human Services commissioner, will officially announce his candidacy for the 1st District Congressional seat with a seven stop bus tour across the state tomorrow.
He will start out meeting breakfast diners at Patch's Market in Glen at 7 a.m., followed by a campaign announcement in Conway before heading to the Lakes Region, the Seacoast and back to Manchester tomorrow night for a formal campaign kickoff event at the Yard Restaurant on the Londonderry/Manchester border.
Stephen also announced the chairmen for his campaign last week.
Former state Sen. Chuck Morse of Salem will serve as his campaign chairman. Serving as co-chairmen of his campaign will be Sen. Jack Barnes, Reps. Peter Batula and Carolyn Brown, former Congressman Chuck Douglas, longtime Department of Safety Commissioner Richard Flynn, former Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin, and former state Republican Party Chairman Wayne Semprini.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
