CONCORD, N.H.: The Republican U.S. Senate primary in New Hampshire could hinge on bank accounts, backgrounds and the backing of President Donald Trump.
The top two contenders in Tuesdays race Retired Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc and attorney Bryant Corky Messner agree on most issues, including their belief that the incumbent they hope to unseat, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, has moved too far to the left and lost touch with her constituents. Shaheen, seeking her third term, easily defeated two longshot challengers.
Messner, an Army veteran who founded a national law firm in Denver, argues his diverse leadership experience in the military and private sector sets him apart. He benefited from an endorsement by Trump and his own deep pockets he poured more than $3.8 million of his own money into his campaign.
Bolduc, meanwhile, argues that the race comes down to roots and an understanding of average voters. Aside from his military service, hes lived in New Hampshire most of his life, while Messner moved to the state permanently in 2018 after years of maintaining a vacation home here. And he accused both Messner and Shaheen of equating politics with power and money instead of public service.
As of Aug. 19, Bolduc had raised $888,000 and had spent all but $178,000, while Messner had $2.5 million on hand after raising $4.4 million, including his own funds.
Andy Martin and Gerard Beloin also are on the Republican ballot.
Shaheen, meanwhile, had raised $15.6 million and had $7.2 million on hand, though both she and the Republican nominee are likely to rake in substantial sums raised nationally before the general election.
Shaheen faced former state Rep. Tom Alciere and retired dentist Paul Krautmann in the Democratic primary. She has touted her record of working across party lines to make a difference for New Hampshire families, on issues including veterans access to health care and helping small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
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