Bass-Kuster Showdown Grinds Away

One of the most closely watched congressional races in the nation, the battle for New Hampshire's 2nd District, appears barely at a boil.

Political observers attribute the slow grind to typical summer yawns, as well as the focus on the presidential race.

Thirty days from the state primary, neither Republican incumbent Charlie Bass nor Democratic challenger Ann McLane Kuster has aired a campaign ad on television. Kuster, who almost defeated Bass in 2010, doesn't have a primary contest. Bass has a few faces on the GOP ballot, but nobody with his name recognition or campaign cash. 

After the primary Sept. 11, expect the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to get involved, said Wayne Lesperance, political science professor at New England College.

"It is a very vulnerable seat," Lesperance said.

While the campaigns have yet to air ads, the Concord Monitor reports today that a George Soros-linked PAC will launch attack ads targeting Bass.

To date, the race is for fund-raising, where Kuster has built a formidable advantage. Records from the Federal Election Commission indicate Bass has raised $1,285,365 in total receipts to Kuster's $1,896,513, through June 30.

FEC receipts show both are sitting on significant reserves. As of June 30, Kuster had $1,292,811 cash on hand and Bass had $912,791.

Below is a quick breakout of their contributors.

Bass contributors include:

Kuster contributors include:

*FEC records