November's blue wave was a tsunami in New Hampshire. The Democratic governor was, as expected, overwhelmingly re-elected; more shockingly, Democrats took both House seats and both houses of the state legislature. Now, with Senator John Sununu's poll numbers dropping and Sununu literally running away from his Iraq record, New Hampshire looks like a prime Senate pickup possibility.
Two Democrats have declared for the race. One is Katrina Swett. The other is 33-year-old Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand, who recently introduced himself in a diary at Blue Hampshire:
I am running for U.S. Senate because I believe New Hampshire needs leadership that represents its values. As Mayor of Portsmouth and a native of Manchester, I believe that I have a unique perspective on the everyday concerns of New Hampshirites. Growing up a first-generation American, the son of a carpenter and a millworker from Quebec, I learned from a young age the importance of hard work, the value of healthcare and a living wage, and the vital role that our elected officials play in making a difference in our community.
Under my administration, the City of Portsmouth has pursued innovative policy solutions to the challenges facing our community, supporting economic growth and development while restraining tax increases. The city has also become a national leader in 21st century green energy policy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy, and saving taxpayers money.
I began my commitment to the community well before my first election, however. From my work on sound fiscal policy as the Northeast Regional Director for the Concord Coalition to my consulting work with the AARP on elder issues and the SEIU on healthcare, I have developed a broad perspective on the issues facing the Granite State. I have also worked with a number of developing nations in Europe and Asia to help them build vital infrastructure and emergency management systems.
He didn't just post a diary, either. He commented repeatedly, giving serious, thoughtful answers to questions on Iraq (indicating support for the Feingold-Reid bill) and economic and labor issues, among other things.
I had the opportunity to meet Marchand a few weeks ago, and he's for real. This is someone who gets excited talking about green buildings and whose understanding of the importance of universal healthcare is concretely grounded in his own family's experiences when they lacked insurance. And he's not just interested in the netroots - he's also serious about building a base among New Hampshire residents who aren't usually politically active, like the working-class French-Canadians he grew up among. And how often do you get a chance to support a 33-year-old dual citizen from a working-class background as a serious candidate for Senate?