NH 2010 Senate Race: Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Paul Hodes 46% – 38%

The 2010 New Hampshire US Senate race for retiring Judd Gregg has Republican Kelly Ayotte leading Democrat Paul Hodes by eight points, 46% – 38%. It’s early in the race; however, once again a Republican has a lead in a political race in a state won by Barack Obama. Retaining this “Granite” state seat is key to Republican momentum.

Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Paul Hodes by eight points in an early look at New Hampshire’s 2010 race for the U.S. Senate.

The first Rasmussen Reports survey of the race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Senator Judd Gregg shows Ayotte ahead 46% to 38%.

Once again it appears that Obamacare and Barack Obama are a negative instead of a positive. No coattails again in a state Obama won in 2008, 54%–45%. My what a difference 8 months makes.

Voters in New Hampshire are closely divided over the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats: 47% favor it, while 50% are opposed. But the antis feel more strongly, with 42% strongly opposed versus 30% who are strongly in favor of the legislation.