AGP Executive Report

Campaign Trail: U.S. Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey joined New Hampshire Democrats canvassing in Manchester as the midterms near. UNH is arranging rides to polling places and voter-registration drives, while students face added uncertainty after a federal judge upheld the state’s ban on student IDs as voting identification. State Politics: In his Distant Dome column, Garry Rayno questions whether the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s handling of the Dianne Martin matter could widen into a larger controversy, pointing to Republican control of state government and the court. Police Accountability: A Peterborough officer has returned to duty after a fatal off-duty shooting; the victim’s family is seeking a separate review of whether the officer’s gun was properly discharged, a request the attorney general’s office says existing protocols do not require. Public Protest: About 64 people marched to Sig Sauer’s Newington headquarters to oppose the company’s weapons and drone work with Israeli partners.

Senate Race: New Hampshire’s contest between Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John Sununu remains a toss-up in a new polling snapshot, with control of the Senate at stake. Voting Rules: A federal judge upheld the state law barring student IDs as voter identification, and New Hampshire is asking an appeals court to keep the restriction in place ahead of Election Day. Local Campaigns: Candidates in Sullivan County’s House District 8 are clashing over affordability and school funding, while Belknap County’s District 1 race pits four-term Rep. Tom Ploszaj against challenger Amber Schaefer. Legal Accountability: Lebanon attorney Stephen Girdwood faces disbarment after the state discipline office accused him of taking nearly $500,000 in client funds; a criminal investigation is ongoing. Police Oversight: Jack Hutchings’ family is seeking an independent review of the investigation into his fatal shooting by an off-duty Peterborough officer; the Attorney General’s Office says deadly force is the central legal question. Town Government: Former state Sen. Jeanie Forrester will become New Hampton’s town administrator in November.

Senate Race: New Hampshire’s contest between Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John E. Sununu is among the nation’s tightest and could help decide control of the Senate. In the open 1st District House race, Democrat Stefany Shaheen faces Trump-endorsed Republican Anthony DiLorenzo. Police Accountability: A Peterborough officer involved in a fatal off-duty shooting has returned to work. The victim’s family is seeking an independent review; the attorney general’s office says a separate investigation is not required. Voting Access: A federal judge upheld New Hampshire’s student voter ID restrictions, while the state is asking an appeals court to ensure student IDs cannot be used to vote. Students say the rules may create barriers at the polls. State Oversight: Democrats are seeking answers from Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella about Formella’s trips and the state Supreme Court. Flood Recovery: Madison and other Carroll County communities can seek federal aid for damage from June’s flooding after President Trump approved a disaster declaration.

Sullivan County Races: In District 8, Democratic incumbents Hope Damon and Samuel Deering are pitching affordability, while Republicans Jon Stone and Cathy Peschke say spending restraint and rejecting new taxes are the answer. In Sunapee and Springfield, Democrat Judy Thackaberry says more state school aid could ease property taxes; Republican incumbent George Grant backs a school tax cap and education vouchers. Voting Access: A federal judge upheld New Hampshire’s ban on student IDs as voter identification, adding to concerns about barriers for college voters. The state has no early voting or no-excuse absentee ballots. Separately, the Trump administration won’t invite international monitors for the November midterms, ending a practice dating to 2002. Senate Campaign: Democrat Chris Pappas says he would expand heating assistance, suspend the federal gas tax and support housing incentives, while opposing Social Security benefit cuts. State Investigation: New Hampshire’s attorney general is investigating after a woman was fatally shot by law enforcement near Bath during a vehicle pursuit. Insulin Costs: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s proposed INSULIN Act would cap monthly costs at $35 for people with private insurance and establish a pilot program for uninsured patients.

Senate Race: New Hampshire’s contest between Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John Sununu remains close, with recent polls pointing in different directions. Candidates in competitive Senate races are also facing questions about Social Security’s projected 2032 benefit cuts. Governor’s Race: Gov. Kelly Ayotte won the National Federation of Independent Business endorsement, citing business tax cuts; Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington visited a Berlin lumberyard and emphasized support for small businesses. Voting Rights: A federal judge declined to block New Hampshire’s restriction on student IDs at the polls. Students remain uncertain about what identification they can use, as state officials seek to enforce the law. Government Accountability: Democrats are pressing Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella for answers about more than $71,000 in travel reimbursements Formella and aides received from a group tied to Jan. 6. Energy: New Hampshire has launched a $1 million program to expand its electric-vehicle charging network.

Senate Race: Chris Pappas leads John Sununu in recent polling, though the contest remains a major target for national Republicans. Sununu’s allies are spending heavily as affordability concerns shape the race. House Debate: In New Hampshire’s 1st District, Stefany Shaheen and Anthony DiLorenzo clashed over how to lower costs. Shaheen cited tariffs and health care; DiLorenzo blamed federal fiscal mismanagement. Health Care: CVS Health and WellSense are leaving the state’s Medicare Advantage market in 2027, and Coös County will have no plans available. Separately, the state settled a five-year lawsuit over its in-home care program. Election Rules and Oversight: The state Supreme Court upheld a law barring student IDs for voting, prompting the secretary of state to seek an emergency stay. Democrats are also demanding answers from Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella about trips funded by a group with ties to Jan. 6 rioters. Child Care and Transportation: New Hampshire’s $1 million grant program aims to expand EV charging at tourism sites, while child care remains scarce: programs fell 14% from 2017 to 2025, and new providers face hurdles filling the gap.

Senate Race: New Hampshire’s contest between Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John Sununu is drawing heavy outside spending and national attention. Pappas and Sununu are sharpening their pitches on affordability, while Americans for Prosperity Action is knocking doors for Sununu. Voting Rules: A federal judge upheld New Hampshire’s ban on student IDs as voter identification. Secretary of State David Scanlan is seeking an emergency stay. Attorney General Scrutiny: Democratic lawmakers are pressing Gov. Kelly Ayotte to address reports that Attorney General John Formella and aides received more than $71,000 in travel reimbursements from a group tied to Jan. 6 rally organizing. Education Policy: With federal scholarship tax-credit rules taking shape, questions are growing over whether a Gov. Cinde Warmington would join states rejecting the program. Warmington previously opposed accepting federal education money that benefited charter schools. In-Home Care: The state has agreed to settle a five-year lawsuit over gaps in Medicaid-funded home care for seniors and people with disabilities; a federal judge must approve the deal.

Election Rules: New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan plans to seek an emergency stay after a federal judge ruled student IDs can be used for voting, arguing the change so close to the election could confuse voters. The FCC is also weighing looser rules for political robocalls, including AI voices—a concern in New Hampshire, where an AI-generated Biden call misled voters in 2024. NH-01: Democrat Stefany Shaheen and Republican Anthony DiLorenzo clashed over health care, affordability and their records in their first debate. Senate Race: Cook Political Report shifted New Hampshire’s Senate contest from a toss-up to “lean Democrat.” A separate AARP poll gives Chris Pappas a seven-point lead over John Sununu, while Gov. Kelly Ayotte also leads by seven. Household Costs: A new report says water bills in New Hampshire rose about twice as fast as household incomes over the past decade, as bills nationwide climbed 62%. Public Safety: A state review panel says domestic violence accounted for 44 of New Hampshire’s 68 homicides from 2022 through 2025 and recommends stronger protections, including dispatcher training and tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

NH-01 Debate: Democrat Stefany Shaheen doubled down on a government-run, single-payer approach, arguing “competition in health care does not work,” while Republican Anthony DiLorenzo pressed her lack of accomplishments and leaned on the “Silver Spoon” family-name attack. U.S. Senate Race Momentum: Cook Political Report moved New Hampshire’s Senate contest from toss-up to lean Democrat, alongside Kansas and North Carolina shifts, as Democrats chase a Senate majority four weeks out. AARP/Saint Anselm Poll: A new poll shows Chris Pappas leading John Sununu 51%-44% and Kelly Ayotte leading Cinde Warmington 52%-45%, with voters 50+ highly motivated and key to both races. Democratic Campaign Push: Sen. Raphael Warnock campaigned in NH with Shaheen and Chris Pappas, warning of potential Medicaid cuts and urging voters to back “guardrails” in the Senate. Legal/Justice: NH Supreme Court declined to intervene in death-row inmate Michael Addison’s case, while the state agreed to settle a long-running lawsuit over the Choices for Independence in-home care program. Public Safety & Oversight: Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a coalition seeking U.S. Supreme Court review so 9/11 victims can access frozen Taliban funds for judgments. Environment/Local Government: Londonderry residents still lack details after the firing of Town Manager Shaun Mulholland, and a Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance report says water clarity is declining with rising cyanobacteria and phosphorus. Energy/Infrastructure: NH announced a $1M grant program to expand spotty EV charging, targeting tourism-related locations.

NH Supreme Court & Death Penalty: The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled it can’t review the “disproportionality” of the death penalty for Michael Addison, the state’s lone death-row inmate, even though the death penalty was repealed in 2019—setting up continued legal fights over whether an execution under the old statute is constitutional. Domestic Violence Safety: A new NH domestic violence fatality review report urges better statewide training, accountability, and court response, including exploring evidence-based risk tools after the Marisol Fuentes-Huaracha case. AI in Health Care: Gov. Chris Sununu signed a law allowing an AI system to act as a licensed medical provider for diagnosing and prescribing treatment for mild acne, with built-in referrals when cases fall outside the narrow scope. Water Affordability: A national study finds U.S. water bills rose 62% from 2015 to 2025—faster than inflation and incomes—with New Hampshire among states where bills climbed about twice as fast as household income. NH Politics & Midterms: In the Senate race, Republicans are leaning on John E. Sununu’s momentum while Democrats press for reform; meanwhile, Trump’s $500 ACA refund checks are going out to nearly 1 million people, with many payments landing in politically competitive states. Cost-of-Living Pressure: As oil prices rise, NH heating assistance providers warn more residents may fall behind this winter. Local Public Safety: Police charged a Tilton man after he allegedly brandished a handgun at a Canaan motocross track.

Trump Dividend Push: President Trump says he’s “looking forward to signing” $5,000 dividend checks for every adult citizen if Republicans keep control of Congress in November, adding to the campaign’s cost-of-living and tax-cut messaging. Property Tax Cap Vote: In New Hampshire’s Nov. 3 ballot, Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s allies are backing the school property tax cap question while U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington won’t say how they’ll vote. Domestic Violence Overhaul: A new NH Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee report urges 11 steps to prevent killings, citing 44 domestic-violence deaths from 2022-2025 and focusing on better police training, offender accountability, and victim safety. NH Senate Race Tightens: A Rasmussen poll shows Democrat Chris Pappas down to a 49%-44% lead over John E. Sununu, narrowing from an earlier 11-point advantage. SNAP and State Costs: SNAP benefits rise slightly, but NH faces additional operating costs as federal policy tightens eligibility and work requirements. Media/Politics: Former Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to join Fox News as an on-air contributor starting Nov. 1. Voting Rules in Court: A federal judge keeps NH’s student-ID voting ban in place for this fall, but bars enforcement that would prevent election officials from considering student IDs as part of identity proof. Energy & Regional Cooperation: New England governors and officials are aligning on a regional nuclear roadmap, with NH’s energy department saying no single state can build alone. Local Governance: In Plainfield, the school tax cap vote is already shaping teacher contract talks, with possible district merger discussions still “years away.”

NH Politics & Campaigns: Pete Buttigieg returned to New Hampshire to rally Democrats and warn voters not to assume the U.S. Senate race is safely Democratic, spotlighting cost-of-living pressures and urging support for Chris Pappas. U.S. Senate Watch: A broader Senate “flip” map is expanding as Democrats show strength in traditionally red states, with New Hampshire’s race framed as part of a competitive national fight. Local Governance & Housing: Warner residents and housing advocates debated zoning changes that could loosen barriers to affordable homes, underscoring how local rules shape statewide affordability. Courts & Rights: Four New Hampshire families filed suit to block a Trump administration rule targeting medical care for transgender youth, keeping transgender health policy in the legal spotlight. Public Safety: Maine State Police arrested a New Hampshire man tied to a deadly Wells hit-and-run from March 2026, charging him with manslaughter and leaving the scene. Energy & Environment: In Rockingham County, a solar-farm land-clearing job led to a $100,000 settlement after workers cut more than 30 trees on the wrong property. Media & Politics: Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, from Atkinson, will join Fox News as an on-air contributor starting Nov. 1.

NH Politics & Campaign Trail: Pete Buttigieg returned to New Hampshire to rally Democrats and warn the U.S. Senate race isn’t a lock, tying GOP vulnerability to cost-of-living pressures and urging voters to stay engaged. Polling & Midterms: Emerson College’s Spencer Kimball pushed back on claims that polling is “broken,” arguing the industry is stronger than ever but shouldn’t be treated like a crystal ball. Affordability as a central theme: Republican Sen. John Kennedy said the GOP can’t ignore cost-of-living concerns heading into the final month. Statehouse/Legal & Governance: CloseUp interviews put affordability, a gas tax suspension proposal, Supreme Court turmoil, and the case of NH’s lone death row inmate Michael Addison front and center for both Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic nominee Cinde Warmington. Elections & Voting Access: A “Distant Dome” column highlights NH GOP changes that no longer treat college IDs as valid proof of identity, potentially complicating student voting. NH Crime/Justice: Three New Hampshire men pleaded guilty in federal court for poaching bobcats and shipping pelts to Canada.

Midterm Momentum in New Hampshire: Pete Buttigieg crisscrossed the Granite State to energize Democrats one month out, delivering a keynote at the NH Democratic Party dinner and rallying canvassers in Concord as he tests a message linking cost-of-living pressure to political reform. 2028 Speculation, Party Friction: Democratic senators told reporters they’re not lining up behind Kamala Harris for 2028, warning a “messy” primary is coming and urging Democrats to focus on 2026 first. Voting Rights Fight in NH: A new report highlights how NH Republicans have tightened voter ID rules—especially affecting college students—by ending the use of college IDs as proof of identity, raising stakes for turnout. NH Courts, Wildlife, and Federal Law: Three New Hampshire men pleaded guilty in federal court for poaching bobcats and exporting pelts to Canada under the Lacey Act, with sentencing set for January. Data Centers and Energy Politics: A national look at Texas shows how regulators are moving from courting data centers to halting permits, including for projects bringing their own power—an issue that echoes in New Hampshire’s own data-center debate. Higher Ed Independence: University leaders pushed back against federal pressure on campus priorities, arguing government “accountability” shouldn’t mean partisan control. Cybersecurity for Health Care: The Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan health care cybersecurity bill backed by Maggie Hassan, aiming to protect patient data and rural providers.

Voting Rights: New Hampshire’s GOP legislature is tightening voter ID rules by ending the use of college IDs as proof of identity, a change that could make it harder for students to vote where they live. U.S. Senate Watch: National polling and spending shifts keep the Senate fight hot, with Democrats gaining ground in Texas and Alaska while New Hampshire’s Chris Pappas race remains competitive against John E. Sununu. Campaign Money: Republicans are pouring record cash into “safe” states turned must-defend, including Texas, as GOP strategists worry about a widening map. NH Courts & Ethics: Top NH Democrats are asking the Judicial Conduct Committee to disclose whether Supreme Court justices are under investigation, arguing uncertainty is hurting public confidence. Health Policy: Hassan and other senators celebrated a unanimous Senate cybersecurity bill for health care, while New Hampshire hospitals and partners back a court fight over Eli Lilly’s 340B claims-data policy. Local Governance: Hampton liquor store redevelopment faces lingering questions as a lawsuit could delay projects. State Oversight: New Hampshire’s charitable gaming system is under renewed pressure for more oversight of how casino-linked money is routed to nonprofits.

U.S. Senate Countdown: With about a month left until Election Day, national Republicans are scrambling to defend a handful of competitive Senate races, including Kansas—where the Senate Leadership Fund is reportedly shifting millions of dollars from North Carolina to bolster GOP Sen. Roger Marshall against Democrat Adam Hamilton. NH Courts & Ethics: New Hampshire Democratic legislative leaders are pressing the state Judicial Conduct Committee for clarity on whether any sitting Supreme Court justices are under investigation, arguing the uncertainty is already affecting cases and public trust. NH Politics on the Ground: Pete Buttigieg rallied Democrats in Rochester, urging voters not to assume New Hampshire is safely blue and highlighting the competitiveness of the Senate race featuring Rep. Chris Pappas. Wildlife Crime: Three men pleaded guilty in federal court in New Hampshire to poaching more than 40 bobcats and exporting them for trade, including charges tied to the Lacey Act. Health Care Policy: Four New Hampshire families sued the Trump administration over a Medicaid rule change that would block coverage for transgender youth medical care. Cybersecurity Law: U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and others celebrated Senate passage of a bipartisan health care cybersecurity bill aimed at protecting patient data. Charitable Gaming Oversight: As New Hampshire’s gambling industry grows, watchdogs and some lawmakers are calling for more oversight of how casino-linked charitable gaming money is vetted and tracked.