If not Kenney, then…. Adams?

Forget the question who is Wally Edge? Who is Jim Adams? That is what many Republicans will be asking themselves over the next few months.

On March 26th, Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta announces he is not running for Governor-and the search begins. State Senator Joe Kenney was still a candidate, but the Republican establishment was not thrilled with his campaign. Republican leaders have nothing against Kenney, as a matter of fact most like Kenney and his story. The problem they have is with his campaign to date.

Leaders believe Kenney has had the chance to take the ball and run with it. Kenney got out of the blocks early and with no other candidates emerging he had the chance to run away with the nomination. Most critics think his campaign is still in the starting blocks months later.

Most Republican insiders agree that Kenney has a great personal story to tell. They also believe Kenney is a very likeable guy and a candidate the grassroots could rally behind. But with a campaign that still has a website that is not fully functioning this far down the road, they are very reluctant to get behind what they see an unorganized campaign with no real game plan. With the lack of organization and professionalism the campaign is presenting it has been hard for leaders who like Kenney to jump on board.

So the search went out for another candidate. And according to today’s Granite Status, the answer is Jim Adams. Which gets us back to the question of the day: Who is this guy? The Inside Edge did not know the answer so we started asking around to prominent Republican leaders and political consultants to find out what they know about him. We heard answers that ranged from “I don't know him. Not at all” and “I don't think we've ever met him” to “I've never met him and don't know who he is.”

Adams couldn’t be active in politics as a government employee and is probably not the savior the Republican Party is looking for to keep the race somewhat respectable against popular John Lynch. What he can do though is provide a primary opponent so whoever the nominee is can be somewhat tested in a state wide race before they have to take on a popular Governor.

One thing Adams does have going for him… his first name begins with “J.”

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