NH-1: Another Sanders' Candidacy

Several days ago we reported that Levi Sanders, the 48-year old son of Vermont Sen. and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-VT), was considering entering the Democratic primary for New Hampshire’s eastern congressional district, even though he lives in the western CD, the one much closer to Vermont.  Yesterday, Mr. Sanders made his intention clear, and he will compete for the Democratic nomination.
 
The 1st District is open because Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) is retiring.  She was elected here in 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2016, but defeated for re-election in 2010 and 2014.  NH-1 has defeated more incumbents than any seat in the country during the new century.  Because the Democratic field is crowded, Mr. Sanders believes his name and association with his father will help him prevail in a multi-candidate primary.  He may be right, though we will have to wait until the state’s September 11th primary to know for sure.  As is the case in every election here, the 1st District general election is forecast as a toss-up campaign.

--Jim Ellis