Dem leadership rally local activists

NASHUA-- As a result of voter registration trends New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said he is "confident" that the Democrats will retain control of the state legislature.

"The transformation happening in New Hampshire is making me feel confident that we can keep the majority in the state senate and house," Buckley said.

Buckley added, "We're less than 5,000 voters of overtaking the Republicans."

Buckley made the comments at a meeting of Nashua activists today with state Sen. Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord) and House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth). The three have been touring the state to encourage Democrats to pay attention to state races and the state legislature.

Larsen expanded on the Democratic slogan of voting "bottoms-up."

"When you go door-to-door make sure that you tell people to vote from the bottom-up," Larsen said.

With the elimination of straight-ticket voting the Democratic leadership argued that it is important that voters understand that they can no longer check a box to vote for all the Democratic candidates on the ballot.

Buckley also said the Democratic Party has "a terrific bench" and "our star is on the rise here in New Hampshire."