In what will be one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2008 election cycle, 33-year old Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand has become the first Democrat to announce a run. His target will be right-wing ideologue John Sununu (who consistently polls under a 50% approval rating). With our landslide victory in the 2006 election, NH Democrats are getting primed to pick up another important seat in 2008.
PORTSMOUTH -- Mayor Steve Marchand confirmed Wednesday what he has been hinting at for weeks -- that he will run for the Democratic nomination to face Republican U.S. Sen. John Sununu in 2008.
"I've taken a step further," Marchand said. "I've made some more calls and received more calls, and now I'm prepared to announce my intention to run."
Marchand said he has been seriously thinking about becoming involved in this race since Thanksgiving, but he didn't want to announce his intentions prematurely.
"I didn't want to make the decision with my heart and not my head," the mayor said. "Now things are more workable."
Marchand said his choice was made easier after he received information that neither Gov. John Lynch nor former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen were interested in taking on Sununu next year. His decision was also bolstered by a statement made recently by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that Democrats intended to target the New Hampshire Senate race, along with two others, in 2008.
"With this being a targeted race, I know the resources will be there," Marchand said. "The question is: Is the candidate going to be a strong match against the incumbent? If you are -- and I think I'm as good a match as anyone -- you have a good chance."
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Another potential candidate seriously considering a run is Stonyfield Farms CEO Gary Hirshberg, who would be a very intriguing candidate. He is extremely intelligent, has tons of money, and has been a leader on environmental issues for many years. He also is extremely well-connected nationally and would likely be the most progressive candidate:
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The other prominent potential candidate seriously considering a run at this time is State Senator Dave Gottesman of Nashua, a prominent trial lawyer:
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