New Hampshire's 1st congressional district election, 2006

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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.^[1] Just prior to election day Bradley was favored over Shea-Porter by just 5%, within the 5% margin of error. ^[2].

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." ^[3].

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

[edit] Candidates

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

[edit] Results

New Hampshire congressional elections, District 1
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Carol Shea-Porter	100,837	51.3%
	Republican	Jeb Bradley (incumbent)	95,538	48.6%
	Other	N/A	159	0.1%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

[edit] References