New Hampshire gov. not expected to run in 2012

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: CNN

Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Popular New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is expected to announce Thursday he will not seek a historic fifth term in office, putting another state race in play for Republicans in 2012.

Lynch, an immensely well-liked Democrat, has headed the state for eight years and is considered all-but-unbeatable were he to run again. WMUR reported Lynch will announce Thursday morning he has chosen not to run for a fifth two-year term, according to sources with direct knowledge of his decision.

One likely Republican contender for the seat is Ovide Lamontagne, a tea party favorite who ran a close but ultimately unsuccessful primary campaign against now-Sen. Kelly Ayotte in 2010. Lamontagne is widely expected to announce his candidacy in the coming weeks.

Other potential candidates include tea party darling and head of the conservative think tank Cornerstone Kevin Smith, as well as 2010 gubernatorial candidate John Stephen and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/15/new-hampshire-gov-not-expected-to-run-in-2012/

[sadbear]

1. WTF?

[glinda]

2. They are giving away our government. Don't understand.

[SpiralHawk]

3. NH - It's a Granite State of Mind

Never forget that The Old Man of the Mountain -- the geographic signature of NH for eons -- collapsed in shame (lost face) immediately (within hours) after Commander AWOL Bush (R) pranced upon the deck of an aircraft carrier in 2003 and lied to America: "Mission (smirk) Accomplished."

The dignified Old Man of the Mountains could not bear to face the rank chickenhawk Republicon lies that got us into the Oil Profits War, nor the lie that the war had been won (still a lie 8 agonizing years later).

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Great - another opening for fruitcakes

in a state that's already siding to the right..............

[lsewpershad]

5. Seems like

good dems are giving up.

[Historic NY]

6. They not progressive enough anymore for the tea social...

there are definitely some people with strange political concepts up in NH who are chomping at the bit.