Steve Merrill

With all this talk of Steve Merrill, another former Governor is asking why not him? Republican Craig Benson, who was defeated in his first re-election bid by Governor John Lynch, is wondering why Republicans are not calling him and asking him to come back and take on Lynch.  read more »

Last week Inside Edge wrote “You can’t always get what you want” when referring to Republicans hopes that former Governor Steve Merrill would come out of political retirement and challenge John Lynch this year.  Sources told the Edge it was very unlikely that Merrill would do so.  And while nothing has changed as far as Merrill committing, the recruitment hasn’t slowed down.  

When Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta decided last week to pass on the race and focus on Manchester the search went out quickly for another candidate.  Names from the past such as Chuck Douglas, Steve Merrill and Charlie Bass were tossed around, but none of them appear to be interested.  While Merrill is letting his name be tossed around, most believe that is to keep his name in the public eye for 2010 in case US

And what Republicans would really like to see is former Governor Steve Merrill come out of political retirement to take on popular Democratic Governor John Lynch. Merrill who led the Republican party through its political high point of the 90’s left office a popular politician and would without a doubt be the strongest candidate the GOP could muster.  read more »

With Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta deciding not to run for Governor it’s time to start the speculation game on who may run. Here is my short list of potential candidates. The problem the Republicans will face is most of these candidates are smart and know with John Lynch’s popularity it will be hard to defeat him. Although a good run can set up a future run.