The HOT seat. All eyes on NH State Senate District 3 as former US Congressman Jeb Bradley dives into the fray

Statesman: Former US Congressman Jeb Bradley

As I wrote in this prior post,

The race to fill the vacated Senate seat in NH’s 3rd District with a special election will be anything but dull. Given the hot contest between the now-resigned Republican victor Denley and flaming-liberal former-Judge Willard "Bud" Martin just a few short months ago, there is no doubt that the interest shown then will re-appear. Add to that the eyes of the remainder of the state’s citizenry, not otherwise occupied with elections of their own, and we should bear witness to a media-intensive, no-holds barred campaign.

I also noted that, when I first heard of the possibility that former US Congressman Jeb Bradley was considering stepping up to make a run at the encouragement of a few good people, I thought it to be a GREAT idea:

Should he be successful, does anyone doubt he wouldn’t be an instant leader upon his arrival– a bonafide statesman serving in Concord? While I don’t live in that Senate District, I have phoned Jeb and offered my encouragement and support, should he decide he wishes to serve in such a role. I believe the state needs someone like him at this moment in time. We certainly can’t risk sending a profligate spender like Judge Martin down there. Lord knows we got enough of ‘em already.

And thankfully, Jeb has decided to give it a go. Tomorrow morning at 10AM, (March 16) Mr. Bradley will appear at the NH Secretary of State’s office to sign up as a candidate for the seat. This is good news for the Granite State, as the present times call for experienced leaders, and it is good news for the Republican Party. Jeb is a quality candidate, and it speaks highly of the party apparatus that they were able to work things out to facilitate this happy conclusion.

As to the importance of the race in the eyes of BOTH state parties, this was in today’s State House Dome column by Tom Fahey:

Democrats have hired Joe Elcock to manage Bud Martin’s campaign for state Senate against Republican Jeb Bradley, who announces his candidacy tomorrow. Elcock has worked in both New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., and managed Sylvia Larsen’s first state Senate race in 1994, party executive director Mike Brunelle said.

This will be an interesting battle, indeed. The voters will be offered with a clear choice between a big-spending, big government liberal, and a common sense conservative with a track record of representation fairly reflecting the values of his constituents. With the economy in the tank, Jeb Bradley should be a shoo-in, should the voters understand the concept of high spending equaling high taxes. That being said, the Democrats will pull out all the stops in pursuit of this seat. Stay tuned… and hang on!

Judge "Bud" Martin w/ Billy Shaheen. Liberals on the march…