The latest survey from the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling (PPP) shows an extremely competitive gubernatorial race developing in New Hampshire, where current Gov. John Lynch (D) will not seek a fifth two-year term.
Both parties will hold their primaries on September 11, although the Republican nomination appears to be all but sewn up by Ovide Lamontagne. Among Republican primary voters in the state, PPP found that Lamontagne — who has previously run unsuccessful campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate —leads former state legislator Kevin Smith, 53 percent to 13 percent. The Democratic primary figures to be much tighter, with two former state legislators running neck-and-neck. Among Democratic primary voters, Maggie Hassan edges Jackie Cilley, 23 percent to 20 percent.
Democrats may struggle to decide which of their two candidates is the most “electable.” In PPP’s general election questions, Cilley and Lamontagne are both locked at 38 percent, while Lamontagne narrowly tops Hassan, 40 percent to 39 percent.
