WASHINGTON — New Hampshire Republicans had a lot to say about Democrats’ special election victory last night. Democrat Catherine Rombeau flipped a seat in a traditionally-Republican district, HD Hillsborough-7, by being laser-focused on the issues. The independent expenditure arm of the DLCC ensured Granite Staters knew how radical the New Hampshire GOP had become, particularly on abortion. This victory shows Democrats have enthusiasm on their side and tightens the already razor-thin Republican majority in New Hampshire.
NH Journal: NH Dems Surprise Victory in Bedford — Special Election Fluke or 2022 Omen?
New Hampshire Democrats scored a much-needed upset win in the one-time GOP stronghold of Bedford, flipping a state House seat from red to blue in a special election Tuesday…
While the race was extremely close — 2,325 to 2,288 — Bedford has traditionally been a Republican-leaning community where Democrats shouldn’t be competitive. Last fall, Danielson received 6,890 votes and won a House seat, while Rombeau failed to make the cut with 5,488 votes. Only one Democrat, Rep. Sue Mullen, won a House seat in Bedford…
GOP expectations were even higher in a special election when low turnout tends to help Republicans, and during a time when the Democratic Party’s poll numbers are low. President Joe Biden is underwater by 11 percent among New Hampshire voters.
And yet Rombeau got the win…
While no Granite State Republicans were willing to talk on the record, off the record they were seething. If Republicans can’t win GOP towns like Bedford, their already razor-thin majority (208-187) could be at risk.
“It’s inexcusable,” one senior GOP source told NHJournal. “It looks like we got outworked–again. I’m really pissed.”
Another insider who worked on behalf of Camarota said Republicans “have no idea what Democrats are doing to drive this turnout…”
Former NH Democratic Party chair Kathy Sullivan thinks she knows what happened.
“Is this 1st time in history that Bedford has had 2 Dem state reps? Rejection of extremist NHGOP by suburban voters,” she tweeted.
###
