Fran Wendelboe

The acting state House minority leader for the better part of the year told colleagues yesterday that he will not seek the same position next year, forcing a situation that will be an all out scramble for this position and potentially for House Speaker.

State Rep. David Hess (R-Hooksett) has served as the de facto leader of his party ever since the last minority leader, Mike Whalley, died in March.

In an e-mail to Republican House members last night Hess made it clear he would not run for minority leader or Speaker if Republicans take back the majority.

After the dust settles from the election the question will be asked whether or not competitive primaries, in both congressional districts, benefited the Republican Party.

Did the primaries help or hinder voter outreach? What if there are lingering harsh feelings? Should the candidates have used tougher words on U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) and U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) instead of on each other? These are just some of the "what if" questions that will be examined after November, especially if Republicans fail to gain a congressional seat.

New Hampshire Republicans hope that the 2008 election will erase any gains the Democrats made in 2006.

However, Republican primaries in the First and Second Congressional Districts could expose divisions that would undermine any attempt at unifying the party, Roll Call is reporting.

A potential problem is primary in the Second Congressional District.

Former Congressman Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) has been endorsed by sixty-nine state legislators.

"I am honored to have the support of so many of my former colleagues that I served with during my 12 years in the State Legislature," Bradley said in a statement.

The Bradley campaign says that the list represents seventy-five percent of legislators from the First Congressional District and will form "Legislators for Jeb."

New Hampshire Republicans are reacting to the news that Joel Maiola is leaving his position with Senator Judd Gregg.

Maiola announced today that he starting a consulting company called Granite Edge.

Republicans agree that Maiola has left a lasting impact on Granite State politics.