UNH poll: NH Democrats in close primary for governor's race; CD-2 Dems also a tight race

DURHAM — Kelly Ayotte holds a wide lead over Chuck Morse in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination for governor in New Hampshire, according to a UNH Survey Center poll, while Joyce Craig holds a slight advantage over Cinde Warmington on the Democratic side . Maggie Goodlander and Colin Van Ostern are neck-and-neck in the race for the Democratic nomination in the Second Congressional District.

Republican candidates in both the 1st and 2nd congressional districts in New Hampshire are largely unknown.

These findings are based on the latest Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. One thousand, seven hundred and eighty-nine (1,789) Granite State Panel members completed the survey online. In addition, 351 New Hampshire residents completed the survey after receiving an invitation via text message to complete the survey online. A total of 2,140 people completed the survey between Aug. 15 and 19. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2.1 percent. Included in the sample were 936 likely Republican primary voters and 837 likely Democratic primary voters.

The state primary is Sept. 10. The winners in reach race will advance to the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.

Craig leads Warmington in NH Democratic governor primary race

Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington are in a closer race. If the primary were held today, 39% of likely Democratic primary voters said they would vote for Craig and 30% chose Warmington, while 8% would vote for former Newmarket Town Councilor Jon Kiper. Less than 1% would write in someone else and 23% are undecided. Thirty-six percent of likely Democratic primary voters say they have definitely decided.

Craig holds double-digit leads over Warmington among self-described moderate and progressive likely Democratic primary voters while liberals are about evenly split between the two candidates. Kiper earns a plurality of support among socialist voters.

More: Craig and Warmington seek Democratic nomination for governor. What voters need to know.

Ayotte way ahead in NH Republican governor race

Ayotte, the former U.S. senator who was recently endorsed by Gov. Chris Sununu, received 65% support from Republican voters when asked who they would vote for today. Twenty-one percent said they would vote for Morse, a former state Senate president, while 13% are undecided and 1% said they'd vote for another candidate. About 54% of voters said they had definitely decided.

“Ayotte is leading now in large part because she has higher name recognition," said Andrew Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center. "But New Hampshire primaries are low-turnout elections, and a lot can change over the final month as voters start to pay attention."

More: Ayotte and Morse seek Republican nomination for NH governor: What voters need to know

Goodlander has edge over Van Ostern in Democratic 2nd District race for US House

Second District Congresswoman Ann Kuster is retiring, and former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maggie Goodlander are in a close primary race in a bid to replace her. If the election were held today, 34% of likely Democratic primary voters say they would vote for Goodlander, 28% support Van Ostern, and 38% are undecided. Goodlander holds small leads over Van Ostern among self-described liberals and moderates, and the two candidates are about evenly matched among progressives.

“This race is likely to remain close as both candidates are well-funded to advertise heavily as voters are making their decisions," Smith said.

On the Republican side in the blue district, about half of voters are undecided with 21% saying they would vote for entrepreneur Vikram Mansharamani and 17% choosing Lily Tang Williams.

Prescott leads among Republicans in NH US House 1st District, with most undecided

Several candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, with 60% of likely Republican primary voters undecided. Nineteen percent say they would vote for former Executive Councilor Russell Prescott, and 10% would vote for Manchester Alderman Joseph Kelly Levasseur. Businesswoman Hollie Noveletsky and businessman Chris Bright both received 4% support in the poll.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH poll: NH Democrats in close primary for governor's race; CD-2 Dems also a tight race