NH Primary Source: National Republicans now looking for well-funded outsider to take on Shaheen
Governor's long-expected decision is now official
Governor's long-expected decision is now official
New Hampshire Primary Source gives you breaking and behind-the-scenes news and analysis on all things political in the Granite State. John DiStaso is the most experienced political writer in the state and has been writing a weekly column since 1982.
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NOW THAT IT’S OFFICIAL…. Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday night his decision to run for reelection, rather than for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Jeanne Shaheen, was made only in the past few weeks after he and First Lady Valerie Sununu took “a very deep look” at his political future.
But some key Republicans have known for more than a month – or at least have been operating under the assumption for more than a month – that Sununu would not run for the Senate.
Now that it’s official, the door is open for another Republican to step up to the steep challenge against Shaheen, who has become a veritable icon of New Hampshire Democratic politics.
Some Republicans – and not just Sununu – say she can be beaten. Others aren’t so sure. Still others say privately that even Sununu would have lost to Shaheen. That’s why we hold elections.
New Hampshire Republican Party Chair Steve Stepanek said he was not surprised by Sununu’s announcement.
“I suspected that this was the way it was going to go since early in the year,” Stepanek said. “But it’s obviously great that he has made the decision at this time, so others can make their decisions about running for the Senate. We’re of course excited that he’s running for reelection. He’s done a phenomenal job and will continue to lead New Hampshire in the direction we all want, which is continued prosperity and reduced taxes and regulations.
Stepanek said he expects at least three Republicans running for the party’s nomination to take on Shaheen.
“I look forward to a positive and spirited debate about why they would be the right candidate to represent New Hampshire,” he said. “I believe that at this point, Sen. Shaheen is very vulnerable and already has a national campaign(LINK) aimed at her for her vote to murder unborn children.”
Not surprisingly, Stepanek said President Donald Trump will win the general election in the Granite State, “and I believe the funding will be there to help our Senate candidate. I believe this will be a top tier race.”
While Washington Republicans were hoping that Sununu would take on Shaheen, they, too, have been working under the assumption for some time that he would run for a third term as governor.
They’re also hoping an outsider steps up, believing that someone who has not been in office for many years, if at all, is their best bet to pull an upset – provided that person can raise money. Shaheen, after all, is a fundraising machine.
“We think the biggest knock on Shaheen is that she is clearly an establishment politician,” said a source deeply involved in national GOP politics. “And we think drawing a contrast with that would take someone other than Chris Sununu to expose that vulnerability.”
Shaheen has been running for office in New Hampshire since 1990, winning eight elections, beginning with her three terms in the state Senate, and losing only one – a 2002 Senate race to the governor’s other brother, John E. Sununu. She then defeated him in 2008.
“Now that Sununu is out, it opens up the field for another strong candidate, and we think there will be an outsider who will ultimately do Shaheen in,” the source said. "Even without him in the race, we think it’s a big pickup opportunity if the message is that Shaheen is out of touch with New Hampshire values and is an establishment politician.
“It all comes down to whether whoever the person is can raise money,” the source said. “With the right person, we think she is very beatable.”
Meanwhile, as we reported Tuesday night, former House Speaker Bill O'Brien appears to be moving toward a candidacy, although he has not yet made a final decision. O'Brien confirmed his interest for the first time in an interview with WMUR in February.
And as we report in today's column retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc now ways he is "seriously considering" a candidacy while attorney Bryant "Corky" Messner is also showing strong interest.
BIG FUNDRAISER. Gov. Chris Sununu wasted no time raising money for his bid for a third term in the State House corner office. Click here.
ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND. So far this week, former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris have campaigned in New Hampshire. Four candidates are on the way Saturday and Sunday. Click here.
THE HOUSING CRISIS. Housing Action NH, a coalition of more than 80 New Hampshire companies and social service organizations, wants the presidential candidates to talk more about what it says is an affordable housing crisis in the state. Click here.
MOVING A STEP CLOSER. The pace of calls of encouragement to retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc picked up substantially after Gov. Chris Sununu announced Tuesday night that he’ll run for a third term as governor and not for the U.S. Senate next year. Click here.
CORKY REACHING OUT. Attorney Bryant “Corky” Messner is making the rounds as he considers running for the U.S. Senate. Click here.
DAY OF ACTION. Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential campaign will go door to door to canvass voters in eight New Hampshire communities in a “Day of Action” Saturday. Click here.
UNSURE IF HE’S RUNNING. Former Portsmouth mayor and two-time Democratic candidate for governor Steve Marchand tells New Hampshire Primary Source he’s unsure if he’ll make a third bid for the State House corner office. But he says he wants to stay involved in promoting issues important to him. Click here.
WARREN'S LATEST PLAN. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has unveiled a new plan to address what she calls “corporate influence at the Pentagon."Click here.
ENDORSING BERNIE. Eight state lawmakers and a Nashua alderman are endorsing Bernie Sanders today in the first slate of formally announced New Hampshire supporters of the Vermont senator's 2020 run for president. Click here.
(John DiStaso can be reached at jdistaso@hearst.com or distasoj@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jdistaso and on Facebook: Facebook.com/JohnDiStasoWMUR.)