
Sometimes meddling in the other side's primaries works; other times it backfires. In the case of New Hampshire's 2nd CD, Democrats' gambit worked. In a gift to Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), underfunded pro-Trump Republican Bob Burns toppled GOP leaders' star recruit, moderate Keene Mayor George Hansel, 33%-30% — a result that wouldn't have been possible if not for $569,000 spent by a liberal Super PAC propping up Burns.
Hansel had a dream resume for Republicans to put this swingy, Biden +9 seat in play. The young, pro-choice Hansel got elected mayor in one of the most liberal cities in the state, owns a filtration manufacturing company with his family and was personally tapped by popular GOP Gov. Chris Sununu to run. But he was hampered by a late start, announcing only in June and raising $377,000 — not enough to lock down the nomination in a seven-way field
Another Super PAC aligned with House GOP campaign efforts, American Liberty Action PAC, tried to prop Hansel up. It spent late on ads casting Hansel as tough on crime, praising him
What is The Cook Political Report?
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.