New Hampshire

Kamala Harris holds lead over Donald Trump in NH in latest poll

Published

7 months ago

October 17, 2024

Kamala Harris holds lead over Donald Trump in NH in latest poll

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a lead over former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire in the 2024 presidential election, according to a new poll out of UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion.

The poll shows Harris leading Trump 50% to 41%. About 1% of likely voters said they would vote for independent candidates Jill Stein and Chase Oliver, respectively.

This lead is similar to what other polls in New Hampshire have found. A Saint Anselm poll from early October found Harris leading Trump by 7 points, while a UNH Survey Center poll from mid-September found her ahead by 11.

Harris has support from 97% of Democrats and 37% of independents in New Hampshire, according to the UMass Lowell poll, while 91% of Republicans and 36% of independents said they support Trump. Five percent of Republican respondents said they are planning on voting for Harris, compared to 0% of Democrats who said they would vote for Trump.

Forty-two percent of respondents said they think Harris will win the presidential election, compared with 36% who said Trump will win.

Harris also lead on favorability with 50% finding her favorable and 43% finding her unfavorable. Forty percent found Trump favorable and 55% found him unfavorable.

More people in New Hampshire also found Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is Harris’ running mate, to be better suited to serve as president than Trump’s vice presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance, if their running mate wasn’t able to do the job. Walz is preferred 48%-36%.

Ayotte and Craig remain neck and neck in race for NH governor

The poll also found the New Hampshire gubernatorial race between former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the Republican nominee, and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, the Democratic nominee, to be a statistical dead heat. Ayotte leads Craig 42% to 41% while 14% remain undecided.

The poll reveals Craig leading among those under 44 and over 65, those with a four-year degree, and among women. Ayotte leads among middle-age adults, men, and those who regularly attend church.

More: Ayotte, Craig raise and spend record millions on NH governor’s race

Ayotte and Craig are running to replace outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu, who remains popular in the state. A majority of respondents said they strongly or somewhat approve of how Sununu is handling his job.

Market Basket leads NH grocery stores with broad support

Amid questions on national and global news topics facing the U.S. and New Hampshire like Israel/Gaza, immigration, and abortion, the poll also asked respondents which grocery store is the best in New Hampshire.

Market Basket won decisively, garnering 60% to Hannaford 27%. Shaw’s earned 7%, “another store” got 6%, and Price Chopper received 0%.

In a polarized country, this issue brought agreement: 54% of Democrats, 70% of independents, and 63% of Republicans all said Market Basket is their top choice.

The UMass Lowell poll interviewed 677 registered voters in New Hampshire from Oct. 2-10. It has an adjusted margin of error of +/- 4.83%.

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New Hampshire

Protestors station ‘genital observation police’ outside N.H. State House restrooms as lawmakers OK bathroom bill – The Boston Globe

Published

7 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Press Room

Protestors station ‘genital observation police’ outside N.H. State House restrooms as lawmakers OK bathroom bill – The Boston Globe

CONCORD, N.H. — When lawmakers reported to the New Hampshire State House on Thursday morning, those who hoped to freshen up before the legislative session began were met with an unusual sight at the restroom doors: guards standing sentry.

These guards weren’t there on official business. They had no authority, and they didn’t block anyone from entering. But each self-appointed bathroom bouncer wore a paper badge that said “genital observation police” — a cheeky way of expressing opposition to legislation they said would undermine privacy and invite discrimination against transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people.

“Sometimes we are serious and we try to talk to our legislators,” said Nancy Brennan, as she stood guard outside the second-floor men’s room. “And sometimes we find a little bit of snark and humor can get the attention.”

To drive their point home, the protestors distributed small cards telling people they would need to allow a GOP lawmaker to inspect their private parts before they could use the restrooms, which are located just a few steps from each legislative chamber. Some passersby scoffed at the demonstration as immature, while others chuckled.

Brennan, who is affiliated with the Kent Street Coalition, a progressive political advocacy group in New Hampshire, said she came up with the badge idea to criticize both House Bill 148 — a Republican-backed bill that would add exceptions to the gender identity protections that currently exist in New Hampshire law — and those who support such legislation.

“A lot of these legislators are using this for points,” she said. “They don’t want to talk transgender people. They don’t want to understand where they’re coming from. They demonize them. And they demonize those of us who support them.”

Tiffany Blessing-Gagnon, a protestor, distributes “genital inspection” cards outside the second-floor women’s restroom at the New Hampshire State House on Thursday.Steven Porter/Globe Staff

While opponents of HB 148 say it will place transgender people and others at risk, proponents say they aim to protect women and girls. The legislation would identify certain situations as appropriate for classifying people on the basis of biological sex, rather than gender identity. Those situations include jails and other detention facilities; athletic or sporting events in which males are generally recognized as enjoying a physical advantage; locker rooms and multi-person bathrooms.

The legislation would allow, but not require, public and private entities statewide to separate such facilities and events by sex rather than gender.

Kamren Munz, a trans nonbinary person who has been using the men’s room for the past five years, said they have faced restroom-related discrimination, including being told to leave a facility based on perceptions of their gender, and HB 148 would make matters worse.

“It’s encouraging the general public to basically ask very invasive questions,” they said.

Munz — a former public school teacher who left the profession after drawing scrutiny from New Hampshire’s socially conservative education commissioner — was among the protesters who gathered Thursday morning at the urging of 603 Equality, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. While Munz stood outside the second-floor women’s room, fellow demonstrators lined the halls and sang about their opposition to the legislation.

Despite the protest, HB 148 was approved in a party-line vote later Thursday by the Republicans who hold a supermajority in the 24-member New Hampshire Senate. The measure had already passed the 400-member House in March with approval from 198 Republicans, two Democrats, and one independent.

During debate, Republican Senator William M. Gannon said his support for the legislation was based partly on his daughter’s experience competing on an athletic field against a transgender opponent who was much taller and stronger than her. Gannon also said single-sex detention facilities are important for the safety of those detained.

Republican Senator Regina M. Birdsell said lawmakers need to protect privacy and the fairness of athletic competition for women and girls, who face blowback if they speak out about their discomfort when transgender people are allowed in single-sex spaces.

“Women are being marginalized in this environment,” she said, “and as far as I’m concerned, this has to stop.”

In a social media post, Republican Representative Lisa Mazur of said the badge-wearing protesters were “fighting against everything women have fought so hard for over the years.”

This legislation is very similar to a bill that Republican former governor Christopher T. Sununu vetoed last year, when he signed into law a separate bill that bars transgender girls from girls’ school sports. (The constitutionality of that sports law is being disputed in a pending federal lawsuit.)

Sununu had signed legislation in 2018 and 2019 to add gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination law and apply those protections to school settings. He said some of the carve-outs that lawmakers wanted to add in 2024 tried “to solve problems that have not presented themselves in New Hampshire.” The legislation would invite “unnecessary discord,” he said.

It’s not yet clear whether Republican Governor Kelly A. Ayotte, who took office in January, will sign HB 148 into law.

Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s summer soundtrack: A curated guide to the state’s standout concerts

Published

1 day ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

New Hampshire’s summer soundtrack: A curated guide to the state’s standout concerts

Summer in New Hampshire means sunlit lakes, long days — and live music.

As warm weather returns, concert venues across the state are tuning up for a dynamic season of must-see acts in rock, roots, reggae, country and more.

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New Hampshire

Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in New Hampshire

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire might not seem like the locale for dangerous animals. After all, its mountainous terrain and cold winters prevent animals like crocodiles and scorpions from making a home in the state.

It’s true that very few people are killed by animals in New Hampshire, and most are not dangerous unless provoked. But according to BBC’s Science Focus Magazine, mosquitos and snakes are two of the most dangerous animals in the world – and both can be found in New Hampshire.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are the deadliest animals in the world, killing over 725,000 people a year through diseases like West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

There are more than 40 species of mosquitos in New Hampshire, according to the NH Department of Health and Human Services, and only a small number of these carry and spread EEE and WNV. Still, DHHS recommends using effective mosquito repellants when mosquitos are biting and contact your health care providers if you develop symptoms of these diseases, like headache, neck stiffness, fever or paralysis.

Timber rattlesnake

New Hampshire has one venomous snake: the timber rattlesnake. In New Hampshire, it looks like a large, thick black snake with brown cross-bands and a triangular head.

Most timber rattlesnake bites are not deadly, but you should seek immediate medical attention if you get bit.

But luckily, it’s rare to run into one in New Hampshire: while historically this snake ranged from the Massachusetts border up to the White Mountains, the species is now endangered with just one known population in the state.

Black bears

Black bears are generally shy and like to avoid humans, but they are still dangerous. If you encounter a bear, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says to keep your distance and make loud noises. If a black bear attacks you, you should fight back rather than play dead.

Black bears are capable of killing people, but don’t fear – it’s extremely rare. According to NH Fish and Game, the last time a person was killed by a black bear in New Hampshire was 1784.

Moose

At 1,000 pounds and six feet tall, a moose can pose a significant threat if it becomes aggressive.

Warning signs that a moose is anxious or agitated, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club, include laid back ears, hair standing up on the back of their neck, smacking their lips, or tossing their head upwards. If a moose charges, you should run and continue to try to escape even if it makes contact. To avoid conflicts, it’s best to stay a safe distance away.

According to the AMC, there has never been a human fatality from a moose attack in the Northeast. Moose pose a greater danger to people in cars: several people die every year in moose-vehicle car collisions in the Northeast.

Moose occur throughout New Hampshire, but are most numerous north of the White Mountains, according to NH Fish and Game.

Black Widow spider

Black widows have a venomous bite 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake. According to the Connecticut Poison Control Center, black widow bites can cause redness and pain, but generally no serious symptoms.

And like the rattlesnake, the spiders aren’t hostile unless threatened and they’re rare to cross paths with: they are only found in the southern parts of New Hampshire.

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