Shea-Porter decides against U.S. Senate run

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) has announced that she will not run for the United States Senate in 2010.

Shea-Porter’s colleague, U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH), decided in early February that he would run for the Senate. With Shea-Porter, deciding not to enter the race the question now becomes whether or not another Democrat will enter the contest or will Hodes have the field all to himself.

Here are some statements on Shea-Porter’s decision:

Hodes: “I have the utmost admiration and respect for Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter. I see her stand up and fight for New Hampshire every day, serving alongside her in the House of Representatives. I am honored to call her my colleague and my friend and know she will continue to serve the people of New Hampshire with honor and distinction as their Congresswoman.”

NH GOP Chairman John H. Sununu: “I extend my condolences to Carol Shea-Porter. Although she is putting on a positive public face, I know that she must be very disappointed at having been forced out of a primary contest with Paul Hodes - especially since she probably would have beaten him.”

NHDP Chairman Ray Buckley: "Carol Shea-Porter is the best to ever represent the first district in Congress. Since her election back in 2006, no one has fought harder to protect working families, veterans and our children. She is an independent leader, and has a long record of providing real results for her constituents.

"With so much at stake, the people of the first district can take comfort in knowing that Carol Shea-Porter is their Congresswoman. I know she will continue to fight every day to better the lives of the people she serves."

Nadeau 2010?

Former state Supreme Court Justice Joe Nadeau is considering running for the United States Senate in 2010.

Nadeau, a Democrat, would be the second Democrat to announce they are running for the senate. U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH) said last week that he would be running to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

“President Obama has challenged everybody to think beyond their usual routine to see what their contribution can be, and I’m going to see whether there’s something I can do beyond the judiciary," Nadeau told Politico.

Politico also reported that, “The website Nadeau2010.com was registered over the weekend to ‘Nadeau for Senate.’”

Jam on!

U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH) has announced that he will be running for the United States Senate in 2010.

Hodes will be running to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), who has been tapped to be Secretary of Commerce. Gregg’s replacement, U.S. Sen.-designate Bonnie Newman (R-NH) has said she will not run in 2010.

“It is with the stories of people like Anne Marie Morse, Chris Howe, and thousands of New Hampshire families struggling in this difficult economy in mind that I announce today that I will run for the United States Senate in 2010 to continue to keep our state and our nation moving forward,” Hodes wrote on the website Blue Hampshire.

Hodes said that he will formally announce his candidacy sometime over the next couple of months.

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH) told the Concord Monitor that he is interested in running for the seat and former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH) is often mentioned as a possible candidate. The Monitor also floated the names of New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and Jim Merrill, as potential candidates.

The Union Leader reported yesterday that Katrina Swett will run for Hodes’ congressional seat in 2010.

What about Hodes?

The Union Leader is reporting that U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH) will announce “within the week” that he will run for the United States in 2010.

Hodes will be running for the seat that is being vacated by U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, who is slated to become the next Secretary of Commerce.

Hodes was elected to a second term in November and said a month ago that he was “seriously considering” running for the senate.

Here are a couple of things to consider about Hodes’ announcement:

-Does this deter other Democrats from joining the race?
-Did he make this decision with a blessing from Ray Buckley?
-Did he talk with Carol Shea-Porter?
-Who will be the first Republican to announce they are running for the seat?
-Who will John H. Sununu call over the next week?