A review of the latest happenings in and around the New Hampshire Statehouse. This report is compiled by our NAIFA-New Hampshire Lobbyist firm, J. Grimbilas Strategic Solutions, LLC.
Filing Deadlines for 2023 legislation - Incumbent House members running for re-election are able to begin filing bill titles for 2023. The early filing period ends September 16th. November 9th will be the next filing period for all elected State Representatives to file legislation – the filing period will end on November 22nd. The State Senate has not announced its filing deadlines yet (the Senate’s filing period is typically after the House in the November/December time period). We may start to see 2023 House bill titles in the near future.
New Democratic candidate in State Senate District 16 - Manchester Alderman June Trisciani (D) has mounted a write in campaign for the November 8th ballot for the State Senate District 16 race (the seat formerly held by Kevin Cavanaugh). After redistricting, the district is considered to be “more Republican” leaning, but we will see what happens. Until this announcement, the Democrats did not have candidate in the race.
UNH Polls – Throughout the past week, the UNH Survey Center has released polls on several races. We have included the abstracts for the polls below with a link to the actual poll results. The polls focus on Republican primary races. The State Primary is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13. There are no major Democratic primaries since the incumbent Democratic US Senator and both members of Congress are seeking re-election.
Poll Results:
BIDEN APPROVAL STILL LOW BUT GRANITE STATERS SUPPORT MOST INFLATION REDUCTION ACT PROVISIONS, DIVIDED ON STUDENT DEBT PLAN
President Joe Biden continues to suffer from low job approval ratings in New Hampshire but majorities favor most of the major provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), even though few think the law will reduce inflation. Granite Staters are divided over Biden’s executive order to cancel student loan debt. Biden Approval Poll
SUNUNU HOLDS COMMANDING LEAD OVER RIVALS IN GOP PRIMARY FOR NH GOVERNOR
Incumbent Governor Chris Sununu holds a wide lead in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary over his Republican rivals. Sununu remains popular among likely Republican primary voters while a majority don't know enough to have an opinion of each of his challengers. A majority of Granite Staters, and 85% of Republicans, approve of Sununu's performance as Governor. Gov Sununu Poll
MOWERS & LEAVITT LEAD NH’S 1ST DISTRICT GOP PRIMARY; BURNS LEADS IN 2ND, MANY UNDECIDED
Matt Mowers and Karoline Leavitt lead the field in the race for the GOP nomination in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, with Gail Huff Brown in third. In the 2nd District, Robert Burns leads George Hansel and Lily Tang Williams. However, a plurality of likely primary voters are undecided in both districts and most candidates remain largely unknown to voters 1st District GOP Primary
WITH TWO WEEKS TO GO, BOLDUC MAINTAINS LEAD IN NH GOP SENATE PRIMARY
Retired Brigadier General Don Bolduc leads NH Senate President Chuck Morse in the race for the 2022 Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate, with other candidates far behind. Among those who remain undecided, four in ten say an endorsement by former President Donald Trump would make them more likely to support that candidate but about one-third say a Trump endorsement would make them less likely to vote for that candidate. Bolduc and Morse are much better known and more popular among likely Republican primary voters than other Senate candidates. GOP Senate Primary