How far are they willing to go?

The Congressional district that I chose to focus on this semester is New Hampshire district 2. I knew I wanted to follow a close election, but what really drew me to this particular district was the fact that the seat on congress is up for grabs with the current representative, Paul Holdes, leaving congress for a senate race. Historically, it is easier for a party to hold a state with an incumbent running for re-election, and with Republicans looking to take over congress the candidates are working to make themselves as appealing to voters as possible in this “toss-up” district.


Bearing in mind the Median Voter Theorem, Republican favorite Charles Bass seems like the right man for the job. With this district favoring the Democrats in the last few elections, the moderate Bass seems to appeal to voters who disapprove of some of the more liberal choices of the Obama administration, such as the recent healthcare plan. He has the opportunity to lure some of the more moderate democrats onto his platform, something a more conservative republican would not be able to do.


The Democratic favorite is the liberal Ann McLane Kuster, a lawyer and lobbyist who is looking to succeed Holdes and keep New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District under Democratic hold. She is appealing to the typically more liberal voters that have been voting Democrats into public office for the last 2 elections. In particular, she is appealing to women, and that is what caught my eye when learning about her platform; and what her supporters are leaning on to put her ahead of fellow Democrat Katrina Swett in the primary (see LINK). She has already gained support and funding from EMILY’s list and NARAL, as well as Planned Parenthood. As a supporter of a woman’s right to choose, Kuster is very easy for women, young and old, to relate to.

With this projected to be a big election for Republicans, “Annie” Kuster will have to prove herself in a big way in this classic Conservative versus Liberal campaign. Will her charisma and passion on women's rights be able to secure her a seat? Or will a fear of the unknown sway voters back into the safe and comfortable Republican territory? You'll have to stay tuned to see just how far to the left or right Kuster and Bass are going to reach in order to secure a seat in Congress in New Hampshire’s 2nd District.