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Trump eyes a state no Republican has carried in a quarter century amid Biden post-debate turmoil
NEWFIELDS, N.H. — It’s been 24 years since a Republican carried the swing state of New Hampshire in a presidential election.
You have to go back to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000. Four years later, as he won re-election, then-President Bush was narrowly edged in the Granite State, kicking off a losing streak that has extended to the present day.
But in the wake of two recent polls that indicated a margin-of-error race in New Hampshire and following President Biden’s extremely rough debate performance nine days ago in his first primetime face-to-face showdown with former President Trump, Republicans are increasingly hopeful they can bring an end to the losing streak.
BIDEN FACES THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL STRETCH OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER
Former President Donald Trump speaks as he celebrates a victory in New Hampshire’s Republican presidential primary in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Jan. 23. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
“I firmly believe that New Hampshire is very much in play,” Steve Stepanek, the senior Trump adviser in the state, told Fox News.
Former longtime state party chair and former Democratic National Committee member Kathy Sullivan disagreed, spotlighting that “New Hampshire is not Trump-friendly territory” and that “there’s nothing changing the dynamic now in terms of Biden versus Trump in New Hampshire.”
BIDEN RAMPS UP SPENDING IN BID TO STEADY HIS FALTERING CAMPAIGN
Since the start of the general election rematch between Biden and Trump four months ago, much of the campaign spotlight has shined on the seven key battlegrounds that decided the 2020 election. Those states include Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada — which Biden narrowly carried four years ago — and North Carolina, which Trump won by a razor-thin margin.
Starting in May, Trump’s campaign started eyeing Minnesota and Virginia, two blue-leaning states in presidential contests, with his top advisers saying they were “clearly in play.”
Trump headlined a Minnesota GOP fundraising gala later that month, and last week, on the day after his debate with Biden, Trump held a large rally in Virginia.
Former President Trump and President Biden face off at a debate in Atlanta on June 27. (Getty Images)
The debate was a major setback for Biden, who at 81 is the oldest president in the nation’s history. His halting delivery and stumbling answers at the showdown in Atlanta sparked widespread panic in the Democratic Party and sparked a rising tide of calls from within his own party for him to step aside as its 2024 standard-bearer.
Fighting back, Biden is now aiming to show Americans that he still has the stamina and acuity to handle the toughest and most demanding job in the world and prove that he has the energy and fortitude to defeat Trump.
TOP NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL HANDICAPPER SHIFTS TWO STATES TOWARDS TRUMP
Earlier this week, well-known non-partisan political handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted two key states towards Trump in the wake of the debate.
Michigan was shifted from “Leans Democrat” to “Toss-up” and Minnesota was moved from “Likely Democrat” to “Leans Democrat.”
In New Hampshire, a poll conducted after the debate by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center suggested that Trump was edging Biden by two points, which was within the survey’s sampling error. The poll followed a survey conducted in late May by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center which indicated Biden with a lower single-digit edge.
“I do think we are now in a battleground,” said Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. “You are likely to see states that are similar to ours that show it’s tied up or Trump has the lead.”
President Biden speaks to supporters during a visit to a campaign field office in Manchester, New Hampshire, on March 11. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
But pointing to the new poll, Levesque told Fox News that “the good news for Biden is he’s weak with the people who self-describe as very liberal. Just 67% support. That means, in the end, most likely many of those people are going to vote for Biden even if they don’t want to admit it right now.”
New England College president Wayne Lesperance, a veteran New Hampshire-based political science professor, also said that the state “is in play.”
“Biden’s performance at the most recent debate has pushed Democrats to question his ability to campaign, win and govern. Recent polls in New Hampshire point to continued rock-solid support by Republicans for Trump. Democratic support seems to be faltering with some looking at independent candidates,” Lesperance noted. “As long as questions remain about Biden’s ability to go forward, the President will continue to bleed support, putting the Granite State in play.”
TRUMP GETS BOOST IN POST-DEBATE POLLS AFTER BIDEN’S BOTCHED PERFORMANCE
While the polls indicate a close contest in a state Biden carried by seven points over Trump four years ago, the Democrats currently hold a very large organizational advantage over the GOP when it comes to ground-game operations.
The Biden re-election team and the state Democratic coordinated campaign have 14 field offices across New Hampshire, with boots on the ground since January. Meanwhile, the Trump team and the GOP currently have one field office in addition to the campaign’s state headquarters.
“New Hampshire Democrats will continue to use our robust, grassroots campaign infrastructure to reach Granite Staters in every corner of New Hampshire to ensure we come together and re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris in November — the stakes could not be higher,” longtime state Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley emphasized in a statement.
But Stepanek, who chaired Trump’s 2016 campaign in New Hampshire before later serving as state GOP chair, touted that “there’s an army of Trump supporters out there, and they’re all coming out.”
“It’s going to be a turnout situation, and we feel we have a very significant ground game that’s going to turnout not only all the Trump supporters but all the Republicans and independents leaning Republican in spite of all the things the Democrats have on the ground here in New Hampshire,” Stepanek predicted.
And he argued that the Democrats “have a significant enthusiasm gap that they are contending with, and we don’t have that.”
As for specifics on how the Trump campaign will build out its ground game in New Hampshire, Stepanek answered, “My game plan I can’t tell you because it’s confidential.”
Sullivan, a top Biden surrogate in New Hampshire, shot back, claiming that when it comes to ground-game operations, “Republicans always say they’re going to do something, and they never follow through.”
Sullivan pointed to the Democrats’ “incredibly strong ground game and seeing nothing on the ground from the Trump campaign.” She also spotlighted that “the issues like abortion, the Republicans are just not in the mainstream.”
“Between the ground game, the issues, the spending by the Biden campaign and the lack of any presence by the Trump campaign, I don’t see the Republicans catching up,” she predicted.
Supporters of the write-in Joe Biden effort in the New Hampshire primary stand for a photo in Concord, New Hampshire, on Jan. 19. (Fox News – Clare O’Connor)
Sullivan also highlighted that they “got a real good head start when we had the write-in Biden effort,” as she referenced the outside effort by state Democrats that boosted the president to a large victory in New Hampshire’s unsanctioned Democratic presidential primary in January, where Biden wasn’t on the ballot.
And in a state where Trump’s GOP presidential primary rival, former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, won 43% of the vote — losing to Trump by only 11 points — Sullivan noted that “the Biden campaign is going to be reaching out to moderate to conservative Republicans who understand what a danger Donald Trump is to our democracy.”
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Local News
The ruling stems from a 2024 assault at a Concord, New Hampshire, convenience store.
A New Hampshire court has ruled that a Concord man violated the state’s Civil Rights Act after assaulting a transgender woman at her workplace in a bias-motivated attack, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday.
The ruling, handed down by the Merrimack County Superior Court, stems from a May 19, 2024, incident in which Travis Lufkin, 25, struck the victim in the face after she asked him to leave the property where she worked. According to the attorney general’s office, Lufkin also called the victim a homophobic slur during the assault.
Citing court filings, the Concord Monitor identified the workplace as a Speedway convenience store in downtown Concord. The complaint alleged the victim had asked Lufkin to leave the store on multiple occasions before the incident.
The victim suffered several cuts, a swollen cheek, and bruises on her neck, according to the report. Lufkin reportedly fled on a bicycle following the assault.
The court found that Lufkin’s actions were motivated by “animus toward the victim’s gender identity.”
“The New Hampshire Civil Rights Act protects every person from violence and intimidation motivated by bias,” Attorney General John M. Formella said in a statement. “The New Hampshire Department of Justice will continue to enforce the laws of this state fairly and consistently, hold offenders accountable, and protect the rights and safety of all Granite Staters.”
New Hampshire’s Civil Rights Act allows the attorney general to seek civil penalties against people accused of committing bias-motivated violence or intimidation based on protected characteristics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered Lufkin to have no contact with the victim or her family and barred him from coming within 350 feet of the victim, her home, or her workplace for three years, according to Formella’s office.
The court also imposed a $5,000 civil fine, with $4,000 suspended for three years, provided Lufkin complies with the court’s order. Violating the injunction could result in additional civil or criminal penalties, including fines or incarceration, according to the attorney general’s office.
Lufkin was also prosecuted on criminal charges stemming from the same incident. He pleaded guilty to second-degree and simple assault and received a 12-month sentence on the first charge, with six months suspended for three years, and a consecutive 12-month sentence on the simple assault conviction, which was suspended for three years.
New Jerseyans are pretty much born with bragging rights.
Despite our small state being the punchline for jokes and stereotyped a million different ways, anyone from the Garden State knows that New Jersey is truly one of a kind.
The state isn’t simply Springsteen and the Sopranos, or beaches and Pine Barrens — although those are pretty amazing things we get to represent with pride.
In fact, our state’s achievements date back to the very beginnings of this country.
As July 27 rolls around, National New Jersey Day honors being the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, the rich and illustrious culture of the nation’s most densely populated state welcomes countless ways to celebrate, wherever your exit may be.
Get a pork roll egg and & cheese for breakfast
Starting National New Jersey day with this beloved salty breakfast staple just makes sense. Whether it’s pork roll or Taylor Ham to you, the beauty of this sandwich is it’s simplicity as well as it’s customization — most stick to tried and true trio of salt, pepper and ketchup, (but New Jersey rock legend Bon Jovi said prefers his with mustard). If salty breakfast meat isn’t your cup of tea, get a bagel instead. Many even say New Jersey bagels are better than New York’s.
Visit a local farmer’s market/buy local produce
It’s not called the Garden State for no reason — New Jersey is home to vast stretches of farmland abundant with fruits and vegetables that feed not only locals, but the rest of the country as well. Support farmers in your area and stop by your local farmer’s market for some Jersey corn and fresh blueberries (the state fruit). Don’t forget to stock up on a few iconic Jersey tomatoes in their peak growing season.
Head to the Jersey Shore
People from all over the world vacation at the Jersey Shore. It’s not just the soft sands for sunbathing that attracts them, but the endless miles of boardwalks that overlook the Atlantic shoreline as well. New Jersey is home to the first boardwalk in the country, so taking a stroll on the nearest boardwalk and breathing in the ocean air is a quintessential activity for celebrating the state. The vibrant colors of a Jersey Shore sunrise or sunset bring peace to any viewer.
Eat at a local diner
Nothing says Americana like a diner — the chrome exteriors, neon signs and the enticing cake display upon arrival practically scream U.S.A. Despite their decline over the years, New Jersey still has over 400 diners where you can grab a quick meal at nearly any hour of the day. The state’s impressive amount of laid-back eateries even give it the nickname of “the diner capital of the world.” When you’re hungry after driving for long stretches of time on the highway or simply want chocolate chip pancakes at midnight, a diner can always be found in the Garden State.
Take a stroll at a historic park, forest or site
As one of the original Thirteen Colonies, historic sites from the Revolutionary War era can be found all across New Jersey — from pristinely preserved pre-war homes, historic parks in full bloom with scenic overlooks, and monuments that honor New Jersey’s significant role in the birth of the nation. Slip back into time on an old battlefield or merely bask in the state’s natural charm of the past.
Stream New Jersey artists
Lana Del Rey once said, “Springsteen is the king, don’t you think?” and pretty much any New Jerseyan will agree. Aside from ‘The Boss,’ household names like Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, SZA and Lauryn Hill all hail from The Garden State. On National New Jersey Day, fill your ears with the melodic raps of Paterson’s Fetty Wap or the powerful lyrics of Belleville’s My Chemical Romance — There’s an NJ musician out there for everyone.
Eat international cuisine
New Jersey is recognized as a major cultural hub for Italian Americans, so it’s no secret that we have the best pizza and pasta in the country. But New Jersey’s incredibly diverse population ushers in eateries offering culinary dishes from cultures all over the globe. Restaurants offering Latin, Caribbean, African and Asian cuisines can be found statewide, with something new to try for every foodie.
Drive through a jughandle
This isn’t necessarily a way to celebrate the state, but something you’ll probably end up doing anyways. Missed your turn somewhere? Don’t worry, there’s likely a jughandle you can turn onto.
Get gas
After driving all day, pull up to your nearest gas station and let the gas attendant know your preferred amount for filling up your tank. Even with higher gas prices, “Twenty regular cash,” still rolls off the tongues of many New Jerseyans with ease. Appreciate the fact that you can sit comfortably in your car while doing so.
Almost 50 years ago, a Pennsylvania Lottery scandal rocked the commonwealth and captured the attention of the world. Now it’s going up for auction.
Television viewers on Thursday, April 24, 1980, thought they were watching another random lottery drawing when the numbers 666 were drawn. But weeks later, Nick Perry, a local Pittsburgh news reporter and host of the drawing, was charged and convicted of rigging the game. Investigators learned he made some balls heavier than others by adding extra paint to them, tipping the outcome.
That drawing, and the 666 lottery tickets, would go down in infamy. And now, a 46-year-old artifact at the center of the scandal is up for sale.
John Zenewicz likes to go to estate sales and has a side hustle selling finds on eBay. He said he was at an estate sale in Saxonburg when he saw a 666 ticket sitting on a dresser.
“I remember the style of ticket because my dad would buy them when I was a boy,” said John Zenewicz. “And I was like, ‘why would someone encase an old lottery ticket?’ and the only thing that could pop to my mind was that story that I remember. I was 10 years old.”
Zenewicz suspects the homeowners had no idea what they were selling.
“What I presume, it’s one of the tickets that was probably confiscated as evidence in Nick Perry, what the locals call the Triple Six Fix,” he said.
After a little more research, Zenewicz said he realized one of the previous owners of the home worked in law enforcement at the time of the scandal. He suspects he may have been part of the team prosecuting Nick Perry. Perry served two years in jail, was fined $3,000 and was ordered to pay $35,000.
Perry died in 2003, but at least one of the tickets at the center of it all remains. And now, Zenewicz says he is selling his 666 ticket on eBay, giving someone else a chance to own a piece of history.
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