A huge political void was created when Gov Sununu, teasing all of NH about a US Senate run (following in the footsteps of Cory Lewandowski) decided to run for governor again instead.
A whole flock of Republicans raised a cloud of dust as they and assorted pundits started yakking about who should be in what lane. Who has the “momentum?” Who has the Benjamins? Who has the name recognition?
THIS result was rather startling. Don Bolduc (aka “The General”) has the best positioning by FAR in this part of the poll:
These candidates are viewed far more favorably among self-identified Republicans but many are still unaware of them. Bolduc has a net favorability rating of +34 among Republicans, followed by Morse (+13), Binnie (+7), Messner (+5), Smith (+4), Edelblut (+4) and Guinta (-2). However, majorities don’t know enough to have an opinion on Binnie (77%), Smith (76%), Morse (64%), and Edelblut (56%), while fewer are unaware of Guinta (44%), Messner (38%), and Bolduc (38%).
The only person that I was surprised by in the “standings” was Frank Edleblut.
I have NO idea if he is going to run for Senate (maybe an “out of right field” double back against Sununu for Guv?) but knowing that he is well-liked in the Conservative -Liberty and Freedom wing of the Party, I have to scratch my head.
Sure, this poll is “self-selected” – get an email and you can do the poll; do the poll, you get another email for the next one – but my gut feeling is that a truer ranking is up at least to the Chuck Morse level.
And we (I put myself into that group) vote religiously in primaries.
Sidenote: am I still allowed to use that word – religiously? Does that put me on the Progressive naughty list (as if I wasn’t already on it)?
So again, I caution everyone – we’re way too far out from the primary to say there’s either a “lock” or a “lockout” on the NH GOP nomination for the position. But I’m betting that the Bolduc camp saw this as good news.
Others, not so much.
