New Hampshire's 1st congressional district election, 2006

In 2006, Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley sought a third term. In a surprise upset victory in the Democratic primaries, Rochester Democratic chair Carol Shea-Porter defeated the better funded and party-favored state House Democratic Leader Jim Craig, getting 54% of the vote to Craig's 34%. Bradley is a fiscal conservative who supports reduction in taxes and spending. Shea-Porter supports a Medicare for All program and increased federal funding for education. Unlike her opponent, she disagrees with President Bush on foreign policy issues and the War in Iraq. In 2004, this was the only congressional district in New England that President Bush carried.

Polls conducted over the course of the campaign showed Bradley in mid-September holding a 25% lead over Shea-Porter. The trend over the next six weeks, however, showed that lead shrinking.http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2006/Info/house_polls.html Electoral-Vote.com Complete List of House Polls] Just prior to election day Bradley was favored over Shea-Porter by just 5%, within the 5% margin of error. http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/REPOSITORY/611030391&SearchID=73262327323571 Concord Monitor November 3, 2006, UNH poll] .

Despite those polling trends, and the shift toward Democratic candidates seen nationwide in 2006, Shea-Porter's victory over Bradley was described by many as "surprising" and an "upset." [http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061109/REPOSITORY/611090355] Concord Monitor November 11, 2006, "How Shea-Porter pulled off upset"] .

When the votes were counted, Shea-Porter was declared victorious with 52% of the vote to Bradley's 48%.

Candidates

* Republican: Jeb Bradley - Incumbent
* Democratic: Carol Shea-Porter
* Libertarian: Dan Belforti

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Carol Shea-Porter
votes = 100,837
percentage = 51.3%
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (US)
candidate = Jeb Bradley (incumbent)
votes = 95,538
percentage = 48.6%
change = Election box candidate
party = Other
candidate = N/A
votes = 159
percentage = 0.1%
change =Election box gain with party link
winner = Democratic Party (US)
loser = Republican Party (US)
swing =

References