A surprise Democratic frontrunner has emerged in an early poll of New Hampshire voters ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came out on top in the Granite State Poll of likely Democratic Party primary voters, released on Monday.
Buttigieg garnered 19% support in the poll, the New York Post reported.
Buttigieg in the poll topped California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has for months been the favorite in legal betting markets to land the 2028 Democratic Party nomination for president.
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Newsom finished second in the Granite State Poll, with 15% support.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) captured 14% in the poll, with former Vice President Kamala Harris at 11%.
Buttigieg, Newsom, AOC and Harris were the only candidates who garnered double-digit support in the poll.
Other candidates getting support in the poll included Sen. Bernie Sanders at 8% and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at 6%.
Buttigieg is the most popular of the Dem contenders, with an 81% favorability rating.
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That outpaces Newsom’s 58% favorability rating, which was good for fourth place in that category, behind Buttigieg, Sanders and AOC.
The Granite State Poll showed GOP Vice President JD Vance far ahead of the field for the 2028 Republican Party presidential nomination.
Vance got the support of 51% of likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire.
Vance also leads the pack with a 77% approval rating, according to the poll.
Vance has for months also been the far-and-away leader on legal gambling sites for the 2028 GOP presidential nod.
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Finishing a distant second in th Granite State Poll was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, with 9%. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard got 8% in the survey.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, touted by President Donald Trump as the ideal vice-presidential running mate for Vance, polled 5% in the Granite State survey.
Rubio’s 58% favorability rating is second only to Vance’s in the poll, however.
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution precludes Trump from seeking a third term in office.
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CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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