Politics Archives · Page 4 of 19 · New England News Collaborative

How One Campaign Is Organizing An Often-Overlooked New Hampshire Voting Bloc: Immigrants and Refugees

February 3, 2020

At first, the scene at the Manchester field office for the Bernie Sanders campaign looked pretty typical: Volunteers milled around after a presentation from campaign higher-ups, fielding invitations to sign up for canvassing shifts from campaign staffers armed with clipboards. But in one corner of the room, a smaller group huddled together, listening intently to…

Where New Hampshire Democrats And The 2020 Candidates Stand On Drug Crisis Policies

January 24, 2020

New Hampshire is among the states hardest hit by the drug overdose crisis. So perhaps it’s no surprise that a majority of voters who plan to vote in the Democratic presidential primary support even the most controversial measures to keep people who use drugs alive and guide them to treatment rather than jail. Take decriminalization.…

One Year On Andrew Yang’s UBI: How a New Hampshire Family Spent Their $12,000

January 7, 2020

How would an extra $12,000 a year change your lifestyle? Your life? The centerpiece of Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign is something he dubs the Freedom Dividend: a payment of $1,000, every month, to every adult in America. Outside of some small-scale trials, universal basic incomes like the Freedom Dividend don’t have much proof of concept.…

From Nigeria To The Bangor City Council: Angela Okafor Makes History

December 3, 2019

Earlier this month, Angela Okafor made history. She’s believed to be the first immigrant and person of color elected to the Bangor City Council. Okafor’s journey to elected office has required her to navigate numerous barriers in order to make a living in Maine. And now she’s dedicated to supporting other immigrants in an overwhelmingly…

In New Hampshire, Candidates Deploy Range of Tactics to Make the Most of In-Person Campaigning

October 23, 2019

On a recent Friday morning, an audience of businesspeople lined up for photos with Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. Bullock, who’s running for the Democratic presidential nomination, appeared at ease when it came time to grip-and-grin. He offered lots of eye contact, a firm handshake, the occasional clap on the back. Bullock got close, but not…

Democratic Candidates Scramble Through New Hampshire As Next Debate Deadline Approaches

August 19, 2019

While late summer can be a quiet time on the presidential primary campaign trail, many Democratic candidates face a crucial test in the coming days: either qualify for the next round of televised debates, or risk losing relevance. That urgency was on display as candidates made the rounds this weekend in New Hampshire. As he…

New Hampshire state Rep. Wendy Thomas, left, talks with Democratic presidential candidate Marrianne Williamson about PFAS chemicals in Merrimack. Photo by Annie Ropeik for NHPR

On The Presidential Campaign Trail, New Hampshire PFAS Activists Give—And Get—Attention

July 2, 2019

New Hampshire is at the forefront of a growing debate over PFAS chemical contamination in drinking water. And many of the Democrats campaigning to win the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary are taking notice.

Minutes after N.H. abolished the death penalty, Rep. Renny Cushing reflects on the many efforts he's made to repeal statute - to replace the penalty with life in prison without chance of parole. Photo by Dan Tuohy for NHPR

For Death Penalty Opponents, Repeal Victory in N.H. Has Been A Long Time Coming

May 30, 2019

The New Hampshire Legislature has banned capital punishment, overturning the veto of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. The outcome was narrow but anticipated. And, for opponents of the death penalty, it was a long time coming.

Birddoggers in action in Dover, NH. Photo by Jason Moon for NHPR

Tired of Campaign ‘Manipulation’ N.H. Voters Get Trained in the Art of the Bird Dog

May 20, 2019

Presidential campaigns do all they can to make sure their events stay on message: candidates who pivot out of tough questions, campaign staff who keep a tight grip on the microphone while a voter is asking a question. But now, more and more, voters are coming to campaign events with their own bag of tricks. With the help of advocacy groups around the state, they’re getting trained in an art known as birddogging.

Photo by Allegra Boverman. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democratic candidate for President, visited To Share Brewing Company in Manchester on Friday evening. There was a drink there named for her on tap, Kirstenweizen, which she sampled. Photo by Allegra Boverman for NHPR

They’ll Drink To That: The Presidential Hopefuls Pull Out The Brewery Stops in New Hampshire

May 10, 2019

There’s an old cliché in politics – who’s the candidate voters would want to have a beer with? It’s a euphemism for likability. But this year, it’s also something New Hampshire voters might actually be able to answer.

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