Who's the Most Popular Politician in NH?

The latest University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll describes U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as "solid" heading into the 2014 race.

In the WMUR Granite State Poll, 53 percent of adults said they had a favorable opinion of Shaheen. The senior senator had the highest favorability ratings of the New Hampshire delegation and potential candidates included in the survey, which was released Aug. 1.

The poll found 23 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Shaheen, 8 percent were neutral and 16 percent responded they did not know enough about her to say.

It found 50 percent think Shaheen should be re-elected, 34 percent think someone else should be, and 17 percent do not know or are unsure.

The poll had questions on potential challengers: former state Sen. Jim Rubens (R-Hanover) and state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro).

"Despite having held the 1st Congressional District seat between 2003 and 2007, only 29 percent of New Hampshire adults say they have a favorable opinion of Bradley, 19 percent have an unfavorable opinion, 6 percent are neutral and 46 percent don't know enough to say," according to the Granite State Poll.

It calls Rubens "largely unknown" in the state. "Only 8 percent have a favorable opinion of Rubens, 8 percent have an unfavorable opinion, 8 percent are neutral and 77 percent don't know enough to say. Rubens' net favorability rating is 0 percent."

The Granite State Poll numbers indicate a mid-term re-election battle could be in store for the Democratic incumbents, U.S. Reps. Carol Shea-Porter in the 1st Congressional District and Ann Kuster in the 2nd Congressional District.

Favorability Ratings
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) favorabiity ratings dropped since April, which UNH attributed to her vote against one bill to expand background checks for firearms purchases, and related attack ads on television. Ayotte's favorability dropped from 50 percent in April to 41 percent in July, while her unfavorable rating increased over that time from 25 percent to 32 percent, according to the poll.

Shea-Porter

• 37 percent favorable

• 28 percent unfavorable

• 6 percent neutral

• 28 percent do not know enough to say

• 27 percent favorable

• 25 percent unfavorable

• 9 percent neutral

• 38 percent don't know enough to say

• 27 percent favorable

• 36 percent unfavorable

• 6 percent neutral

• 3 percent don't know enough to say

• 11 percent favorable

• 4 percent unfavorable

• 6 percent neutral

• 79 percent don't know enough to say

• 12 percent favorable

• 4 percent unfavorable

• 6 percent neutral

• 79 percent don't know enough to say

• 22 percent favorable

• 25 percent unfavorable

• 6 percent neutral

• 47 percent don't know enough to say