Debates In New Hampshire Begin; Ads Blanket Airwaves; More: 2022 Political Roundup

CONCORD, NH — And they’re off.

Candidates for the 2022 general election are now beginning to debate why they should lead the state and represent voters during the next two to six years, depending on the race.

The first debate, between Gov. Chris Sununu, the incumbent, and a Republican, and state Sen. Tom Sherman, a Democrat from Rye, was spirited at times with points and counterpoints made by the candidates.

After the debate, Sherman said the incumbent was taking a “victory lap” while brushing off the struggles of Granite Staters.

"As a doctor and a legislator, I always focused on what I could do to help people get better," he said. "But Chris Sununu is clearly more focused on politics than on people. From breaking his word by signing New Hampshire's first modern abortion ban to vetoing bipartisan measures that would expand our energy options and lower costs, Granite Staters are now paying a real price because of Chris Sununu."

Sununu, however, countered, saying Sherman lied about his record, defended his support for an income tax, admitted to opposing tax cuts, and would not say if he would have opposed a 17-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase.

“That’s absurd,” he said, “but here’s what surprised me the most: when I referred to taxpayer money as your money, money to create educational opportunity for parents and families beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom, Tom disagreed with me, saying, ‘no, it’s [not].’”

Listen to the entire debate, without commercial interruptions, linked here on the Pulse of NH on-demand audio site.

Here is InDepthNH’s coverage of the debate: New Hampshire Gubernatorial Candidates Clash In First Debate

Pappas Says He Set Fundraising Record

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas raised $1.47 million in the third quarter of 2022 — including more than $1 million in the final five weeks of the quarter, the campaign said.

Pappas has raised $4.2 million to date for the cycle. He said he was “overwhelmed and grateful” at the outpouring of support to his campaign without accepting political action committee money.

The campaign said Pappas had received donations from all 75 communities in the district.

Ads On The Air

Ads are airing all over television stations and online.

Sununu has an ad airing that speaks about the recent energy assistance plan:

Karoline Leavitt, the Republican nominee in District 1, said in her new ad, that she will get results for Granite Staters.

District 3 Executive Councilor Janet Stevens also released her first re-election campaign ad. It’s linked here from Vimeo.

PPNH Canvassers Knock On Thousands Of Doors

During the past few weeks, more than 2,000 voters have been contacted by the Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund.

The org hoped its paid canvassers would be able to contact more than 7,000 voters during the next three weeks.

“New Hampshire is at a clear crossroads,” Kayla Montgomery, the vice president of public affairs for PPNH Action Fund, said, “and the conversations we’re having with voters show Granite Staters are outraged by recent attacks on reproductive health care and fired up to elect leaders who will ensure that abortion, birth control, and comprehensive health care, including sexual education, are protected and accessible.”

The org had endorsed Sherman as well as Dana Hilliard in District 1, Cinde Warmington in District 2, Katherine Harake in District 3, Kevin Cavanaugh in District 4, and Shoshanna Kelly in District 5 for Executive Council.

Endorsements

• The National Federation of Independent Business on Tuesday endorsed state Sen. Kevin Avard for re-election in District 12, saying he was committed to working positively with small businesses — which was demonstrated in his voting record in the state Senate.
• More than 100 women across New Hampshire have formed a new “Women for Bolduc Coalition” and introduced themselves on Tuesday. The women said they were tied of incumbent U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan’s voting record and refusal to campaign in the state. Some of the endorsees include Ann Marie Banfield of North Hampton; Linda Rea Camarota of Bedford; Hon. Victoria Sullivan of Manchester; Carol Soucy of Concord; Hon. Jeanine Notter of Merrimack; Hon. Maureen Mooney of Merrimack; Hon. Vanessa Sheehan of Milford; and Hon. Betty Gay of Salem.
• State Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) on Tuesday endorsed 14 female state Senate candidates, all Democrats, who she called “effective leaders that bring a variety of perspectives and experience to the table.” The candidates include Shannon Chandley, a former District 11 Senator who is running again; Melanie Levesque, a former District 12 Senator who is also running again; incumbent state Sen. Cindy Rosenwald; District 16 candidate June Trisciani; incumbent state Sens. Donna Soucy of District 18 and Rebecca Perkins Kowka in District 21; and District 24 candidate, Debra Altschiller.

Amend Or Revise?

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Karen Testerman called on supporters to reject Question 2 on the ballot in November, calling for a Constitutional Convention.

The main reason? The question itself suggests that the convention could “amend or revise” provisions in the state’s constitution, she said Tuesday.

“This assumes that there is a problem with the founding documents,” she said. “The problem is not the language or structure of the founding documents. And who will the delegates be? Who will decide?”

Testerman said the proposal was “dangerous” to the public’s “existence as a free people” due to the ability to be able to make sweeping changes that could be made even though supporters say it is limited in scope.

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