Could the biggest New Hampshire political story of the week be a headline from next door in Maine?

The rise of far-left, Nazi-tattooed Graham Platner as the Democrats' nominee for U.S. Senate is a national story, and it's raising uncomfortable questions for Granite State Democrats like Rep. Chris Pappas. 

Jon Fetherston and Tom Shattuck (yes, WTKK listeners, THAT Tom Shattuck) of the Maine Wire have been covering Platner from the beginning, and they share insights about the self-declared gentleman oyster farmer you won't find in other media outlets.

Then political reporter Caroline McCaughey and longtime NHGOP operative Chuck McGee join host Michael Graham to talk about the current state of the 2026 races, and the issues Granite Staters really care about.

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Bedford Republican Melissa Bailey joins NHJournal's Michael Graham to talk about her campaign for the NH01 GOP nomination: Her expertise in accounting and finance, her views on Iran and Ukraine, and why her Christian faith is at the center of her campaign.

Then, GOP operatives Michael Dennehy and Patrick Hynes answer the existential question: Why are we here? NHJournal, that is. They were part of the group of Republican strategists who created NHJournal, and they share stories of their early battles in Granite State journalism -- including their decision to hire legendary reporter John DiStaso. 

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles Aesthetic & Functional Dental Center in Nashua.

Grover Norquist is no novice when it comes to politics and he's not naive. The founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform knows the midterm political environment is tough for the GOP. But he tells NHJournal there is one issue that can overcome an anti-Trump voter surge: Taxes. 

And, Norquist says, New Hampshire is leading the way. He also warns the Granite State that other states are gaining on it when it comes to tax policy. Plus -- Norquist is a former competitor in the "Funniest Person in Washington DC" contest, and he shares his favorite political joke.

Then it's time for Rank Punditry with Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire and Neil Levesque, head of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics: Brown v Sununu, the state of play in 2026, and why JD Vance was the biggest loser of the week.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor MIchael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

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Republican Anthony DiLorenzo is on the NHJournal podcast talking about the state of the race in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District. DiLorenzo is seeking the GOP nomination, but he has plenty to say about the leadership (or lack thereof) in both parties. 

DiLorenzo also talks to NHJournal host Michael Graham about Trump's Iran policy, and highlighted his business experience, having "created over 1,000 jobs."

Then nationally-known GOP consultant Rick Wiley and Granite State comms pro Alicia Preston Xanthopolous are ready for some "Rank Punditry" talking NH politics and the 2026 campaign season.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua. 

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Andy Volinsky says an income tax is the right thing for New Hampshire, and he's not apologizing for it. Instead, he takes every question NHJournal's Michael Graham can throw at him about why he believes shifting education funding to an income tax is the economically -- and morally -- right thing to do. It's a wide-open and informative conversation that ends with a surprising(?) request from the host.

Then GOP strategist Jim Merrill and longtime political reporter James Pindell jump in the ring for a round of "Rank Punditry," talking the N.H. Senate race, the state of progressives in the NH Democratic Party and why Hillary Clinton's upcoming appearance at the Dems' upcoming fundraising dinner is problematic for the FITN primary.

Here's the website Andy is touting: NHTaxSavingsCalculator.com.

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(With a cameo appearance by Slightly Crooked Pies.)

David Paleologos is the director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center (SUPRC), where he has worked since 2002 conducting statewide polls and bellwether survey analyses. And despite the dour view of 2026 held by NHJournal podcast host Michael Graham, Paleologos says there's still hope for the GOP in 2026.

In particular, he sees an opportunity for the NHGOP to break its federal election losing streak in a Chris Pappas v John E. Sununu U.S. Senate race. (Of course, Sununu still has to get past a feisty Scott Brown in the GOP primary.)

Then it's a terrific education of "Rank Punditry!" featuring veteran GOP operative Chuck McGee of Spectrum Marketing, and AFP's Greg Moore.

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate John E. Sununu calls it "outrageous" that Democrats -- including Chris Pappas -- are blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security, even as terror threats rise.

He also talks about the war with Iran, and Pappas's record on energy policy as part of the Senate campaign.

Then, it's better than Dave Letterman: It's Dave Carney's Top 10 Rules of Politics! The legendary GOP strategist shares his list of rules candidates live -- or die -- by.

GOP operative Matthew Bartlett joins NHJ's Michael Graham to review Carney's list and give their take on NH politics.

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Rep. Brian Cole (R-Manchester) is a tireless advocate for expanding nuclear power in New Hampshire, and he's made energy policy the central plank of his campaign for U.S. Congress. In this edition of the NHJournal podcast, he talks about the realistic timeline for bringing new nuclear technology on line. He also talks about the U.S. war on Iran and Trump's impact on the November elections.

Also, instead of the weekly serving of "Rank Punditry" on NH politics, it's "Pundit-Palooza!" We asked a half dozen politically-active people to give their quick takes on how 2026 is shaping up:

• U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
• Republican strategist Mike Dennehy
• NH Home Builders' CEO Matt Mayberry
• NHFRW President Christine Peters
• Former GOP U.S. Senate candidate Vikram Mansharamani
• GOP media professional Chuck McGee

PS-- The episode kicks off with a cameo appearance from former Executive Councilor Andru Volinksy.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

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Republican NH01 primary candidate Hollie Noveletsky calls it a 'slap in the face' to Granite Staters and the country when Rep. Chris Pappas refused to stand and support the statement that the first duty of government is to protect American citizens over illegal aliens.

Noveletsky also doubled down on her support for tariff and trade policy that she says protects American workers, and she argues that manufacturing can't come back to New England as long as blue-state energy policies keep electricity costs high.

Plus: Comms expert Scott Spradling and former GOP Speaker of the House Bill O'Brien join the "Rank Punditry" panel to talk about the impact of the ICE facility's demise on Democratic hopes to defeat Gov. Kelly Ayotte, and why the NH DOJ's legal challenge to the Claremont school funding decisions is actually the biggest news in New Hampshire.

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Christian Urrutia, one of the Democrats running in the NH01 primary, joins NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham to talk about his race, the issues that motivate him, and why Stefany Shaheen's candidacy doesn't "meet the moment."

Then, NH political veterans Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos (aka "The Notorious APX") and Patrick Hynes talk about the latest round of rumors that Cinde Warmington really is getting into the governor's race this time. Plus: Is NH getting redder or bluer?

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