Home > Archives > Election Insider

NH Senate: Answer to a Big Question

April 13, 2010    Content provided by DDC Advocacy

It was commonly believed that the Republican establishment scored a political coup when they recruited former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte to run for Sen. Judd Gregg's open seat. An appointed position in New Hampshire, Ayotte served in the state's top law enforcement position at the behest of both a Republican and a Democratic Governor, thus giving her strong bi-partisan credentials for the general election. But, because the position is appointed, Ayotte has no campaign experience. Taking on two-term Rep. Paul Hodes in the general election, all polling shows her comfortably ahead in what could be the most difficult of Republican open seats to protect. But, questions continually surface about her ability to win the GOP primary. There, she is facing a former gubernatorial nominee, conservative Ovide Lamontagne, and wealthy businessman Bill Binnie, a political newcomer. One of the first Republican primary polls is shedding some light on that question, and the results are good for Ayotte. Public Policy Polling (4/14-17; 1,474 NH registered voters) gives the former AG a 43-19-11-5% lead over Binnie, Jim Bender, another businessman, and Lamontagne. Such a margin is showing important strength for her, but the primary is not until September 14th. Against Hodes, the poll projects Ayotte leading 47-40%.