Steve Negron Vs. Ann Kuster In NH Congress Race

CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire Congresswoman Ann Kuster is a member of the state's all-women congressional delegation -- the first and only in the country. With fellow Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter's retirement, however, that will change on Election Day -- at least in Shea-Porter's First District as voters will elect either Eddie Edwards or Chris Pappas. In the Second District, Kuster, a Democrat, will seek to retain her seat against Republican Steve Negron on Election Day November 6.

Kuster, 62, of Hopkinton, is seeking re-election to her fourth term. Negron, 57, of Nashua, is a state representative and U.S. Air Force veteran. Kuster ran unopposed in the September primary. Negron won a close primary race, beating Hopkinton doctor Stewart Levenson by 1 percent of the vote.

With two weeks to go until Election Day, Kuster was leading Negron by a margin of 53 percent to 28 percent, according to the latest University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll.

"Congresswoman Ann Kuster's favorability is at an all-time high among 2nd District residents," the poll's authors wrote. "Steve Negron is not well known in the Second Congressional District. He is viewed favorably by 12% of Second District residents ... and 67 % don't know enough to say."

The pair faced off during a debate earlier this month in Concord. Kuster said she would work to support and preserve programs including Medicare, Social Security and paid family leave.

"The only threat to Medicare and Social Security is the tax break for millionaires and billionaires that added $1.5 trillion to the debt," Kuster said.

Negron criticized a paid family leave proposal.

"I don’t have to have restrictions and a law to tell me what’s in the best interest of my employees," Negron said during the debate. "I fight people mandating to me as a business owner what I can and can’t do."

The Second District includes the Patch communities of Concord, Nashua, Salem, Milford, Amherst and Windham.

With two weeks to go until Election Day, Politico predicted a likely Democratic victory.

New Hampshire's U.S. Senate delegation is comprised of Democrats Jeanne Shaheen (up for re-election in 2020) and Maggie Hassan (up for re-election in 2022).

Related:

• Historic NH Congress Race: Eddie Edwards Vs. Chris Pappas
• Governor Chris Sununu Seeks Re-Election Vs. Molly Kelly

Photo credits: Office of Ann Kuster (left) and Steve Negron (right)