LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – What effect does a polarizing candidate like former President Donald Trump have on local Republican candidates?
Trump lost the state of New Hampshire in 2016, and then again in 2020 by a much wider margin. Trump-backed candidates in the 2022 midterms also went down in defeat.
Dartmouth College Politics Professor Linda Fowler believes the former president could end up hurting other Republicans on the ballot in the Granite State this November.
“I think he will be a drag on the Republican ticket. In part, because he has been such a polarizing figure, he creates problems for down-ballot candidates because you have to be all in for Trump or you are the enemy,” Fowler said.
But she says New Hampshire voters are known for their independence, meaning they often vote for one party for president while voting for the other party in a different race.
Fowler adds that turnout was higher for Republicans than Democrats in the primary race for governor.