Gubernatorial candidates rack up endorsements
Each election year candidates vie for endorsements from individuals and organizations who can muster their followers at the polls. For less well-known candidates, endorsements are also a key strategy to boost name recognition.
Here's the highlights for endorsements in this year's race for governor so far.
On the Democratic side, Colin Van Ostern landed the endorsement of several powerful unions, including the State Employees' Association and NEA-NH, the teachers' union. Van Ostern was also endorsed by Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund.
Van Ostern hasn't won every union, however. The Professional Fire Fighters of NH union and International Association of Iron Workers are amomg the unions endorsing Democrat Mark Connolly.
Former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand was the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate to get an endorsement from the Marijuana Policy Project of NH, thanks to his support for marijuana legalization.
Lesser-known candidates Derek Dextraze and Ian Freeman also support marijuana legalization, although that has not won them endorsements.
On the Republican side of the ticket, current Executive Councilor Chris Sununu has several big name endorsements, including recent presidential candidate Gov. John Kasich and former U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown.
Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas has touted more local endorsements, such as former Mayor of Nashua and Executive Councilor Bernie Streeter.
Rep. Frank Edelblut has endorsement from libertarian-leaning organizations, including the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.
Sen. Jeanie Forrester won the endorsement of Tom Thomson, honorary chair of Americans For Prosperity-New Hampshire, the organization that sponsors the anti-tax pledge for candidates.
Jon Lavoie, a lesser-known Republican, does not advertise any endorsements on his website.
Do endorsements influence your vote? Let us know in the comments.
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