This is incredible.
Republicans are waking up, energized all over the country.
In New England, they are enjoying an unparalleled renaissance unheard of and unforeseen. After the disastrous last two election cycles during the George W. Bush Administration, it seemed all but assured that the New England wing of the Republican Party was an extinct political animal.
Now they are bouncing back. In 2010, both House seats in New Hampshire flipped back to red.
Republicans now hold the governors' seats in four of the six New England states. Reports indicate that they might win a fifth seat in Connecticut, since the Democratic leadership in the Constitution State is deeply unpopular, mired with high crime, budget deficits, and crippling taxes.
New Hampshire is now a GOP trifecta, with Governor Chris Sununu and strong GOP majorities in both chambers. They have passed constitutional carry, and were very closely to finally enacting right-to-work legislation. With the next election cycle, and as long as Republicans continue carrying a strong brand of successful promise keeping in the Granite State, they should win a stronger majority to enact this crucial reform.
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| Carol Shea-Porter calls it quits |
More good news has emerged: an opportunity to capture a House seat and hold it for good.
Rep. Carole Shea-Porter has announced her retirement:
The New Hampshire Republican Party issued the following statement in response:
NH GOP Chair Jeanie Forrester statement on Representative Shea-Porter's retirement
For Immediate Release: October 6, 2017
Contact: Matt Sparks, (603) 225-9341
CONCORD - NH GOP Chair Jeanie Forrester released the following statement regarding the announced retirement of Representative Shea-Porter:
“The news today from Representative Shea-Porter, following her record of obstructing all meaningful reform in Washington since the election, is welcome news for Granite staters who have grown tired of her ineffective leadership. New Hampshire has a fantastic opportunity to replace her with a Republican representative who will work for the people of New Hampshire’s First Congressional District.”
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I contacted Matt Sparks, and he shared with me the following information.
Two Republicans have already declared their intent to run for the seat:
Andy Sanborn – State Senator
Eddie Edwards – Former Liquor Commissioner
Sparks assured me that the Republicans of New Hampshire are intent on winning and keeping the seat in November.
Of course, Congressional District One is the most swinging of swing districts in the country. Since the Democratic wave of 2008, the seat has gone back and forth, with Carol Shea-Porter then Republican Frank Guinta trading the seat.
Guinta was later caught in campaign finance violations, but rejected pleas to step down. He ultimately lost in 2016.
With Porter's decision to retire, the open seat presents a real opportunity for Republicans to keep and hold the seat. According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, the seat is slightly Republican leaning with an R+2 rating.
Indeed, without the hang-ups of former incumbents competing for the seat, this is truly a GOP opportunity going into Election 2018.
