It’s (Almost) A Race In New Hampshire

Good news for New Hampshire Republicans has come out of the New Hampshire Union Leader today- Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, known in the state for her tough law enforcement views and nationally for Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, has resigned “to explore a campaign for the United States Senate.”

This throws a whole new twist into the race- since former Senator John Sununu decided not to run for the seat last week, hope has been pinned primarily on Ayotte, since businessman Fred Tausch is not well-known in the state and supported President Obama last year, and former Representative Charlie Bass has been very careful in describing where he would prefer to return to national politics, whether in the House or Senate. Bass does poll well against Hodes, and the anti-Republican mentality won’t be the same in 2010 as it was in 2006, but I think the fresh face of Kelly Ayotte would be a welcome one for New Hampshire. If Bass were to run for his old House seat again, I think he would destroy all opposition- it’s an incredibly open race on both sides, and Bass is known to be a moderate, which is an advantage in the more liberal of the two districts- which would be a great start to a Republican reboot in New Hampshire and New England.

Hodes has more money than Ayotte- over a million dollars, according to Politico, and over 80% of that since the end of the first quarter- and a more obvious track record to boast about than does Ayotte. The former Attorney General, however, seems to be fairly canny, and can easily shape herself however she wishes, since her track record politically is practically unknown. Furthermore, New Hampshire Union Leader has written glowingly of her since she took the Attorney General position. Given their status as the state’s largest newspaper, and their conservative bent, that will be of great benefit to Ayotte. Lastly, on the negative side of being a public office holder, Hodes has a lot of dirty laundry to bring up, not the least of which is his alleged support of PayGo in 2007- he supported the stimulus package this year, and he supported the Bear Stearns bailout last year, despite telling myself and other Plymouth State University students that he felt conflicted about because of PayGo. Furthermore, Hodes has also broken New Hampshire campaign laws, and that should be easy fodder for any candidate.

While I have never met Attorney General Ayotte, it is my hope that she will run, and her campaign will be based upon her very strong support for law enforcement, her representation of New Hampshire to the Supreme Court and making clear the differences between herself and the very liberal voting record Hodes has amassed while in Congress on issues such as abortion, spending and immigration. With this campaign, and with the support of the NH GOP- which is finally out from under the bumbling leadership of Fergus Cullen and in the hands of former New Hampshire governor and Bush I Chief of Staff John Sununu, Sr.- Ayotte should give Hodes one heck of a fight.

- dustin