Sununu, Shea-Porter Trailing In UNH Poll

Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) still trails former New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) while freshman Democrat Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) looks to be in serious political trouble, according to a newly-released statewide poll.

The Granite State poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire, showed Shaheen leading Sununu 48 to 39 percent. Sununu holds a 48 percent favorability rating, while 37 percent of statewide voters said they viewed him unfavorably. Shaheen is currently viewed more favorably throughout the state: 56 percent have a favorable opinion of her, while only 29 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her.

The poll surveyed 500 New Hampshire residents between April 25 and April 30, and has a 4.4 percent margin of error

Shaheen, who lost to Sununu in a competitive 2002 general election race, raised $1.2 million in the first quarter of this year, and has banked $2 million. Even though Sununu reported over $4 million cash on hand as of March 31, he has been outraised by Shaheen for the last two fundraising quarters.

Sununu, one of the most vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents, has consistently trailed Shaheen in nearly all public polling.

The Granite State poll also contained some encouraging news for House Republicans. It showed Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) trailing her potential Republican rival, former GOP Rep. Jeb Bradley, 45 to 39 percent, in a head-to-head matchup. She only wins 43 percent of the vote against a lesser-known Republican opponent, former state Health Commissioner John Stephen.

The fact that Shea-Porter is polling well under 50 percent (the sign of political health for an incumbent) against both Republicans should be worrisome for Democrats, especially given the strong national environment for the party. Shea-Porter has been among the party's weakest fundraisers and faces a credible Republican challenger in November.
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