On the eve of the Granite State's 2026 primary elections, two veteran politicos join the NHJournal podcast to talk about the state of the races and the state of New Hampshire politics.

Matt Mowers is president of Valcour, a global strategy firm. Before that, he was a political operative in New Hampshire who ran for Congress in the First Congressional District twice. He offers his insights — and predictions — about the upcoming election, as well as his view of the state of play in New Hampshire politics.

Then, Mark Halperin, editor-in-chief of the 2WAY political platform and host of “The Morning Meeting,” says the Granite State’s U.S. Senate race remains largely overlooked by the national political establishment — but it could ultimately determine control of the chamber.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

After a week of debates and poll drops, it's time for a full hour of political analysis and -- a fan favorite -- "Rank Punditry!"

The podcast starts with Boston Globe political reporter and NH politics veteran James Pindell, who talks about the competitive races in both New Hampshire and the Bay State, and why a certain Granite State Republican might be on the 2028 VP list.

Then we get a national take on New Hampshire politics from the chief author of the Almanac of American Politics, Lou Jacobsen. He ranks the competitive U.S. Senate races and talks about how nationalizing elections is impacting contests in states like New Hampshire.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua (Thank you!)

And by great NHJournal fans like you! (Click here to kick in $4.99/month)

New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard reflects on “probably the toughest three terms almost any speaker has ever had” in his farewell interview with NHJournal.com.

The Londonderry Republican recounts the challenges he faced, from the COVID-19 pandemic to an almost evenly divided House and growing political turmoil. Packard also discusses the recent overrides of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s vetoes, his belief that government is spending “the people’s money,” and the impact of social media on politics.

Then it’s “Rank Punditry” with veteran GOP strategist Jim Merrill, who analyzes the results of the new Saint Anselm College poll and the state of the hotly contested NH-01 Democratic primary.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to "subscribe" to NHJournal for $4.99 a month and help support independent journalism in the Granite State? Click here!

 John E. Sununu drops by Castro's Cigar Lounge in Bedford to talk about his race for U.S. Senate and the surge in socialist politics among Democrats.

“The socialists are in charge right now of the Democratic Party. They’re driving it, and that’s one of the reasons this is an important election,” Sununu said. “Chris Pappas has gone along with them, hook, line and sinker.”

Then it's "Lights! Camera! Election!" as media strategist Scott Spradling joins NHJournal's Michael Graham to play Siskel and Ebert with the current crop of NH politics' TV ads.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Forget “Suck it up, Buttercup.” Terry Shumaker says it’s time for his fellow New Hampshire Democrats to stand up to the DNC, and he expects presidential candidates who want to win in 2028 to do the same.

“I’m not interested in supporting anybody for president who’s afraid of some party bosses down in Washington,” Shumaker told the NHJournal podcast this week.

Then it's Rank Punditry with Caroline McCaughey of the New York Sun and UNH political science professor Dante Scala.

Former NH-01 Congressman Frank Guinta joins the podcast to talk about the current state of the race for his old seat, how the 2026 cycle is shaping up for his fellow Republicans and the news that the DNC is stripping NH of its First in the Nation primary.

Then it's Rank Punditry time with AFP's Sarah Scott and grizzled GOP campaign veteran Dave Carney. Will the Democrats' struggles with their Socialist base (which was part of the FITN decision) hurt the party's brand enough to give the GOP a fighting chance to avoid a Blue Wave in November?

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

As the Rep. Ellen Read (D-Newmarket) saga continues, it can be hard to keep up with all the twists and turns, so NHJournal asked our very own Damien Fisher, who's been covering the story from the beginning, to bring you up to speed. From her work on behalf of the Satanic Temple to her attempt to aid Hamas to her adventures as New Hampshire's most lead-footed legislator, it's all here.

Then campaign pro Jim Merrill and Rep. Ross Berry (R-Weare) are the Rank Pundits of the week, talking about the Maine U.S. Senate race, the financial situations of the two parties in New Hampshire and their prognosis for November.

Sponsored by NHJournal readers like you (click here to chip in!) and our good friends at Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Hosted by Michael Graham.

NH-01 GOP candidate Anthony DiLorenzo joins the NHJournal podcast to talk about his path to success in the primary, and in the general election -- likely against Democrat Stefany Shaheen.

He also breaks the news that he's reporting his campaign took in more than $1 million in Q2 (most of it from DiLorenzo himself), which he says shows that this will be the first cycle in at least a decade when the GOP had the cash to go toe-to-toe with Democrats in the 1st CD.

Then it's "Rank Punditry" with Boston Globe political reporter James Pindell -- live from Graham Platner's neighborhood in Maine! He joins AFP's Greg Moore and host Michael Graham to talk about the impacts (if any) of the Dems' Platner faceplant on New Hampshire politics. And the eternal question: Why don't NH Democrats ever have any Platners (or AOCs or Sanders or Warrens) of their own?

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua. 

Forget politics and partisanship. In this episode of the NHJournal podcast we celebrate America's (REAL) 250th anniversary by getting our patriotism on!

History writer J. Mark Powell and Drew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, join host Michael Graham to talk about America's greatest moments, then debate -- who was the best Founding Father, and who was the worst?

Plus -- what is the most "America, [Bleep] Yeah!" thing the U.S. has done in its 250 years as the greatest nation on earth?

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

NOTE: If you'd prefer to watch or listen on Youtube, the link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jTbuybjF18

All the progressives running in Democratic primaries aren't in New York City. Dr. Karishma Manzur is bringing her "People's Campaign" to the Democratic NH U.S. Senate primary taking on U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas.

In an extensive conversation wth NHJournal's Michael Graham, Manzur explains her support for single-payer healthcare, ending U.S. support for Israel and her views on the success of Democratic Socialist candidates in the party.

Then another round of Rank Punditry with Dr. Dante Scala of UNH and veteran GOP operative Chuck McGee, who break down the current state of the federal races in New Hampshire. 

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Find more about the Karishma Manzur campaign here.