The Steve Marchand Podcast

This episode is a recording of a live event from June 18th with NH State Senate District 16 candidate Dian McCarthy. It's the first episode of a 2026 series I'm calling "Pitch Deck". Over the next 4+ months, I want to dive in on a number of the most intriguing, interesting, and important downballot races in New Hampshire. The first 15 minutes are a quick run through the analytics, trends, and characteristics of the district itself. Then, a 25 minute conversation with the candidate, followed by time for questions and comments from the live audience who joined us on Substack for this event. Dian is a longtime resident of the Manchester suburb of Goffstown (the biggest town in a district that also includes Hooksett, Candia, Raymond, and Ward 1 of Manchester). She was a member of the Goffstown School Board for nine years - including two successful reelections, six years as the Chair, and seven years on the town's Budget Committee. This electoral success came despite being a Democrat in a town that has leaned Republican over the past 20+ years. Dian's professional and civic career is impressive, as well. She's been a non-profit Executive Director; the Vice Chair of the NH Juvenile Court Diversion Network Board, where she helped guide the statewide network through a period of significant growth and transition; and President of the NH Breast Cancer Coalition. You can learn more about Dian and her campaign at www.mccarthy4nh.com.#nhpolitics #2026election #newhampshire

Scott Shepard is a candidate for State Representative in NH in Strafford 4 - one of the most competitive, "purple", and politically interesting districts in the state...but that's *not* why I wanted to sit down with him. Scott has a Substack, NH Insights, that is approaching the biggest public policy problems facing New Hampshire with a decidedly unique tone.Unlike most politicians, Scott starts with big, fundamental questions about what we actually want as a state - on education, on how we pay for schools, and what we are willing (and unwilling) to trade off in addressing the state's housing crisis. He's a PhD geneticist who has spent time at Harvard; who's been a consultant for businesses large and small to successfully help them merge, become more efficient, and reaffirm their missions. He's taken a thoughtful Facebook account and generated change in his town of Barrington, NH, where he serves in several appointed capacities. And he has very thoughtful ideas about how NH should approach what I call the "Bermuda Triangle" of public policy: Education quality, property taxes, and housing.You can find his Substack here: and his campaign website here#nhpolitics

NH Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley is the longest serving state party chair in America, going back to 2007. He has truly seen it all, being involved in state politics for over 50 years (he started well before he could get a driver's license) - from growing up with the state being a safe GOP presidential win through the 1970s and 80s, through a stretch where Democrats won 9 out of 10 gubernatorial races between 1996 and 2014, to its current unique combination of consistent federal victories with more recent struggles against a state GOP led by GenX Governors Chris Sununu and Kelly Ayotte.Of course, New Hampshire is also famous for our First In The Nation Presidential Primary, more than a century old. In recent years, it has been under much deeper scrutiny by the Democratic National Committee, who in 2024 approved a change in the traditional order. (New Hampshire still went first, but South Carolina was given the DNC's official blessing to be FITN.) Now, Chairman Buckley leads a team making its case (effectively, it appears) that the path back to The White House for Democrats should indeed start in New Hampshire. That decision will be made later this summer, and the stakes are high for a party desperate to succeed President Trump in 2028.In this episode, Ray and I have a wide-ranging conversation about the FITN process; the strengths of NH's case to the DNC; the political landscape heading into 2026, including what other election cycles seem to rhyme most closely with the current Democratic-friendly environment; and then we have a great discussion about the way to win in NH, and what Democrats need to do to build a true majority coalition that includes the suburban voters newer to the party *and* the blue-collar voters who were once the backbone of the party.#nhpolitics

Memorial Day 2026 has come and gone - which means the unofficial next phase of New Hampshire's congressional primaries has begun.Carleigh Beriont is a Hampton Selectwoman, an educator, and a former labor organizer. She's vying to be the primary progressive choice of the six main candidates in this Democratic primary for NH-1. The seat is open, thanks to four-term incumbent Chris Pappas's (D-Manchester) decision to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.Much of this conversation tries to get at answering different versions of the top question activists tell me is on their minds: What is the actual difference between these six candidates? Is it policy, or style, or story, or priorities...or something else?In this conversation, Beriont appears to be making the case that life experiences - and how they shape her leadership style - separates her from the field. We did plenty of politics and policy, including what her specific strategy is for making up the name ID (Stefany Shaheen) and fundraising (Shaheen and Maura Sullivan) gaps between the top two candidates in most polls and Beriont. She makes a compelling case - I hope you enjoy today's episode.

Maura Sullivan is a leading contender for an open congressional seat - New Hampshire's 1st CD - considered one of the most competitive in America. As a first-time candidate for public office in 2018 - running in this same NH-1 the last time it was an open seat - Sullivan earned a strong 2nd place finish in an 11-way primary with over 30% of the vote.In the meantime, she's been deeply involved in state politics, adding to her record of public service centered around her career as a U.S. Marine. In this episode, we discussed plenty of policy, including America's growing wealth gap, the unaffordability of everyday life, health care, and foreign policy.However, I was eager to spend a lot of time getting into Maura's time in the Marines, and the moments in her life that set her on a path that's led to combat readiness exercises in Japan, serving in the middle of the Iraq War in Fallujah, being at Quantico in her first full day as a full-fledged Marine on (of all days) September 11th, 2001, and serving in the Obama Administration.I've known and been friends with Maura for more than eight years...but I still learned a lot in this conversation about what makes her tick, and why she is a formidable candidate with a lot to offer at this moment.#nhpolitics #congress #2026election ‪@stevemarchandnh‬ #marines #democrats

Today's episode is based on a live show recorded on Tuesday, April 28th, which gave my paid Substack subscribers a sneak preview ahead of the full "2026 NH State Senate Projection Show, V1.0". The full show, with graphics, charts, and full data, is available at my YouTube channel. This is a trimmed down, audio-friendly version of the full show, which gets into the six senate districts currently held by NH Republicans...and which could flip in various "shades" of a Blue Wave 2026.I also spend time going through why certain types of communities are moving steadily towards the GOP and Democrats, and how that is reflected in the modeling I've successfully developed over the past six years to accurately project downballot results going back to 2020.Read a lot more about this type of work I do analyzing NH and national politics at www.SteveMarchand.com.

In the Democratic primary for NH's 1st congressional district - a purple seat that is open because incumbent Democrat Chris Pappas is pursuing NH's U.S. Senate seat - Stefany Shaheen has been the frontrunner since entering the race in May of last year.That's the advantage of being the daughter of the historic political figure Pappas is hoping to succeed - Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the first woman in American history to be elected Governor and Senator. However, with that name ID also comes increased scrutiny, and a *lot* of questions directly related to the family's legacy.On today's episode, I purposely did not want to spend much time on such topics. Instead, we ran the gambit, from policy (the weeds of health care, inflation, AI, and more) to the surprisingly conservative politics of GenX (we were both born in 1974), to the thread of competitive sports that many may not know runs through her life.You can learn more about Shaheen's campaign at www.StefanyShaheen.com.

Following one of the first forums involving most of the sprawling field for the open, competitive Democratic primary in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, Steve Marchand brought in each of the five candidates for live interviews. They talked about how they thought the event went, what they are hearing on the campaign trail, answered follow-up questions from Steve (who moderated the event), and looked at how the race is evolving.Rep. Chris Pappas (D- Manchester) is vacating the seat after four terms to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The event took place in front a large live audience in Barrington, NH.#nhpolitics #uspolitics #2026election #newhampshire

On Monday, Saint Anselm College released a new poll asking a wide range of questions about New Hampshire's 2026 elections and political landscape.The headline? The NH electorate is deeply dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and is poised to deliver a strong election night for federal - and perhaps state-level - Democratic candidates.The same electorate also said Governor Ayotte was basically treating water, that they were firmly against a state income tax, and that the Free State Project is getting better known...but quite disliked.To go through all this, I had veteran State Rep. Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) as my guest. He is the head of the Democratic Victory Campaign Committee (or DVCC, the House Dems' election operation), and is the former Democratic Leader of the House.Much to discuss in this fast-paced episode, particularly for political junkies who want a good snapshot of where NH stands barely seven months before the midterms.

Jon Kiper joined me recently on Substack Live for the first time since former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington announced she would be running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. With Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern (somewhat surprisingly) announcing he would not be seeking the nomination, it appears the field is set, with the 2nd- and 3rd-place finishers in the 2024 Democratic gubernatorial primary stepping up again in 2026.In this conversation, we discussed a lot of policy (education funding, the speed with which AI is impacting the economy, housing, property taxes, and much more) and some important political questions (How do you take on Kelly Ayotte? How do you address being an underdog against Warmington? How do Democrats start playing offense on taxes and ed funding? And how do you build awareness of your campaign at a time when legacy media continues to dry up in many towns and regions?)#nhpolitics #2026election #education #housing

As we approach the NH legislature's annual crossover of Senate and House bills, Democratic House Leader Alexis Simpson and Deputy Leader Laura Telerski stopped by review the 2026 session. They visit on the heels of quite a week: About 180 bills went through the NH House last week alone! Despite the GOP having a sizable ~40-seat advantage in the House, there have been Democratic wins in 2026 - as well as a number of GOP bills passed that Simpson, Telerski, and NH Democrats expect to be real issues for voters this fall.Then, we talk about what the surprise special election victory of Democratic Rep.-Elect Bobbi Boudman in a solid red district might portend for the 2026 general election.

Rep. David Paige (D-Conway) is a sharp guy. In only his second term in the NH House, he's arguably the most sophisticated member in the 400-member body on the #1 issue facing New Hampshire these days: Housing (and the lack thereof).In this episode, we went through the reasons why the NH housing market is so tight, and so expensive. It's supply problems, including challenges legislators can help address (like zoning changes to lower some of the costs of new construction, and to make ADUs and manufactured housing easier to build), and some that are bigger than simply New Hampshire (like the high cost of supplies, such as lumber, thanks in part to tariffs). It's also the demand side, though - especially for those at the entry-level side of renting or buying.There may be as much bipartisan opportunity in housing policy as *any* topic in NH, but Democrats (dealing with being on the wrong side of a GOP trifecta) have been pushing Governor Ayotte and Republicans to fund housing programs *proven* to increase new home starts (like the Housing Champion Program), and to consider fairness in access to housing, particularly for renters.We went through it all, and then closed with David's thoughtful take on how he seeks to lead at a moment when the GOP has full control, as well as some of the underlying factors going into the continued growth and dynamism in the Mount Washington Valley - one of my favorite parts of the state.

Former Executive Councilor (and 2020 gubernatorial candidate) Andru Volinsky released his "3-3 Tax Savings Plan" Tuesday morning at the NH State House, and it definitely got the New Hampshire political community talking. The plan would rely on a 3% income tax (w/significant deductions) and a $3 per $1,000 statewide property tax (with a $250K homestead exemption) to generate significant revenue earmarked for public education. They also released a calculator to allow you to see what they say their plan would mean for your household: www.nhtaxsavingscalculator.com Volinsky and State Rep. Tom Oppel (D-Canaan) came on my Substack Live show immediately after the press conference to talk about their plan, and to answer a lot of questions I had about the political viability of the plan. The current frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, Cinde Warmington, has pledged no income or sales tax. The entire Democratic State Senate caucus opposes it, as well. And all of Democratic House leadership, along with the majority of its House caucus, oppose central tenets of the "3-3" plan.Can they build political support in that context with only eight months until Election Day? How can they assure that the new revenue would go to property tax relief? And what do they say to those (Democrats and Republicans) who oppose the plan?

What would you do if a bill going through your state legislature had the potential to be the most harmful piece of public policy in your state in a generation?If you're my two guests today, you'd build a statewide coalition to do something about it in a matter of weeks. My guests today are a pair of local leaders who are impressively organizing a statewide coalition opposed to HB751 - a bill that would create arguably America's most expansive (and expensive) open enrollment system. Micaela Demeter, a member of the Dover School Board, and Lil Maughan, the Chair of the Lebanon School Board, are two of the three originators (along with ConVal School Board members Curtis Hamilton) of an open letter laying out the concerns with HB751, including dozens of questions they have with the bill's potential consequences. You can read the letter, as well as a partial list of the questions raised by the signatories, here.New Hampshire's public education system is regularly ranked in the top 10 nationally. though it is also among the more expensive per-pupil, as well. NH relies far more on local property taxes to pay for education than any state in the nation - barely 20% of the cost is covered by state government!The pressure this is putting on some of America's highest property taxes is reaching a breaking point, and the GOP-dominated legislature is passing increasingly provocative legislation in response. In 2025, it was a universal voucher program; this year, it was an attempt to mandate a state cap on local per pupil spending (which narrowly failed when 22 House Republicans broke from party leadership to effectively kill it). Now, it is HB751 - universal open enrollment. And, if enacted, it threatens to be the most impactful law passed in New Hampshire on any policy area in at least a generation.

One of the most experienced and respected legislators in New Hampshire 400-member House, 23-term State Representative Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) has seen it all. She's been the Majority Leader, served under Democratic *and* GOP trifectas, and earned bipartisan respect along the way.MJ was *also* the Executive Director of one of Concord's best-known child care centers, serving as ED for 30+ years, and has perhaps the most sophisticated take on the struggles with both supply *and* demand in New Hampshire's child care infrastructure. In this episode, we spent a lot of time on a snowy weekend midday getting into the weeds on child care, as well as on other issues where MJ is leading, such as reforming the way we fund special education in New Hampshire.We hit on some fun topics, too - My wife and I have going to the Westminster Dog Show on our bucket list, but MJ and her husband have attended, and it is even more fun (if you're a dog person) than I imagined! Anyway, enjoy this show, and please rate and share it, as well.Learn more about the work Steve Marchand is doing at his Substack, at www.SteveMarchand.com, and at his political organization, www.MoveTheGoalpostsNH.com.

New Hampshire State Representative Anita Burroughs has seen a lot during her four terms in the NH House, going back to her upset win vs. former Speaker of the House Gene Chandler in 2018. In the 7+ years since then, Burroughs has become a well-respected member of the Commerce & Consumer Affairs Committee, able to thread the needle: Working well with Republicans while publicly calling out the problems she sees with the GOP's agenda and leadership. Her Substack, Inside the New Hampshire Dome with Anita Burroughs, does a great job of providing the blow-by-blow of policymaking in NH from a veteran legislator's perspective. We go through some of the highest-profile and potentially most consequential bills of 2026; how she got involved in politics in the first place, and what it was like to take on one of the most prominent state-level politicians in NH; and the changing politics of her part of the state (she represents the northern part of Carroll County, a part of the state with a combination of bright blue and ruby red - towns quickly getting bluer thanks to an influx of tourists-turned-residents and anti-MAGA Yankee Republicans, and other towns getting redder, reflecting the transition of blue-collar mill towns we see across the country). It's a great, relaxed, wide-ranging conversation. Learn more at Anita's Substack (go to Substack.com and type her name into the search bar), and visit Steve's Substack at www.SteveMarchand.com.

New Hampshire is one of 20 states that do not have a state minimum wage, and thus default to the federal minimum of $7.25/hour - a number hasn't changed in over 16 years.Of those 20 states, NH has the highest cost of living, and (along with PA) are the only states in the northeastern U.S. with no state-level minimum wage. Rep. Kathy Staub (D-Manchester) is the lead sponsor of a bill (HB1484) that's hoping to do something about this.The bill would create a $12/hr. minimum wage, gradually increasing to $17/hr. over the next several years. With the GOP having solid majorities in both the House and Senate, as well as Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the effort faces long odds in the short term, but Staub has worked on this issue for years in office and as an advocate, and she came armed with facts and arguments for this episode.We discussed everything from the politics of building bipartisan support for a strong minimum wage, to a series of policies supported by NH and national Republicans having the effect of widening the income and wealth gap.

For our year-end episode, I brought on two good friends who are a generation younger than me: Emerson Doiron and Zach Nelson. We talked 2025 politics (NH and national), but then things careened wildly: Getting iced coffee at Dunkin' with Eric Swalwell during a snowstorm. How playing Oregon Trail on the one computer in the classroom in the early-to-mid 1980s made me afraid of...Oregon. How Vegas (where Zach is from) has changed the rules, minimum bids, and payout of blackjack over the past 15 years to make it a lot less attractive to everyday people. Why Drake Maye is the NFL MVP (and Matthew Stafford is not). How the "Nick Punto trade" caused me to wake up my entire family while getting gas in Gray, Maine. And describing the leadup to Y2K to young Millennials without sounding crazy. Have some fun, kick back, and enjoy this wide-ranging, stream-of-consciousness conversation as you take some time off before 2026 kicks in!

Alexis Simpson is the Minority Leader of the New Hampshire House - and so much more. The veteran Democratic legislator from Exeter is an ordained minister with an academic background in physics, who originally came into state politics through her interest in sustainable farming (a particularly important topic in NH). This diverse (and, in some ways, unconventional) background for a political leader has many subtle advantages, and we explored her leadership style and hopeful outlook.In the 400-seat NH House, the GOP currently has about a 222-178 majority, and along with a Republican State Senate majority, and Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte, a legislative trifecta. They've largely used that trifecta to aggressively push forward a number of provocative policies, including arguably the country's most libertarian school voucher program and the elimination of the state's Interest & Dividends tax, while increasing the cost of the state's Medicaid program for lower-income families to help balance the budget.Simpson and House Democrats recently released their "Fair Chance Agenda", with specific legislation meant to help address the high cost of everything from housing, to health insurance, to child care. We talked about that legislative agenda, what it's like to try to push the ball forward while in the minority, and big recent news that the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has put the NH House (and Senate) into "Battleground" status. It's a big deal for the 2026 elections, which we discussed at length, as well.

Christian Urrutia is a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st district. It's an open seat, as current Rep. Chris Pappas (D-Manchester) is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. It's a competitive congressional seat (about D+2), and they don't come open often, so both sides of the aisle are engaged in sprawling primaries. Urrutia came on the show today to unveil his plan to address arguably Americans' biggest concern these days: Affordability. The plan is called "A Fair Shake for All", and it led to an hour-long conversation where I sought to get a handle on some of the nuances of policy (including cause-and-effect) in housing, child care, health care, and inflation. You can find the plan - and much more about the candidate - at www.UrrutiaForNH.com.

How do you know you're getting stuff done? When the NH House GOP files a frivolous "impeachment inquiry" bill to try to shut you up. We discussed that and much more with Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill during a recent Substack Live broadcast. Included in the discussion: Her first year as the only Democrat on the 4-1, GOP-led Executive Council has been quite eventful, with unusual coalitions and opportunities to draw attention to issues that most NH Democrats simply can't command right now. She's also preparing to kick off a tour in early 2026, answering a question she hears all the time: "Why are your property taxes so high?"

Steve sat down with U.S. Senate candidate Karishma Manzur, a medical scientist with a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. She spent over 20 years working on treatments for illnesses like epilepsy and depression, and has been active in progressive politics and advocacy on causes as diverse as campaign finance reform, rank choice voting, and New Hampshire Peace Action.In this episode, we got into an in-depth discussion covering healthcare policy, big money in politics, Democratic Party strategy, and the recent government shutdown negotiations. You can learn more about her campaign at www.KarishmaForSenate.com.

Today, Tom and I did a Substack Live, which we turned into a podcast. We go back more than 20 years, and Tom (who is in his first term as a New Hampshire state legislator representing a Grafton County district in the Upper Valley) has truly done it all: He's been a teacher, then a journalist, then a high-level political communications operative in state and national races, then eventually a partner in one of the country's most prominent Democratic consulting firms, then the Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the Navy during the Obama administration, and now an elected official.Today, we discussed the big recent news of the agreement between Senate Republicans and eight Senate Democrats to re-open the government, and the reasons behind the near-universally negative reaction on the part of Democratic activists. What should the Democratic message be entering 2026 at the state and national level, and how does this Senate development impact our ability to deliver that message?We also discuss Tom's recent efforts to bring the need for additional revenue to pay for the State's constitutional responsibility to fund more of public education back to the forefront. He proposed bringing back a bill killed in 2025 for the second year of the legislative session, and although his effort was denied by the GOP-led Rules Committee, he has a lot to say about the topic.Finally, we talk some sports at the end, as often happens. He's one of the bigger hockey fans I know, and the role of youth hockey in his family's lives is both sweet - and will ring true for so many of us who drove our daughters and sons to practices and games for years.To learn more, visit www.SteveMarchand.com.

This is a recording of a Substack Live Analysis and Q&A done on Thursday, November 6th. On Wednesday night, the 5th, Steve rolled out his V1.0 of his 2026 New Hampshire House projections, focusing on which of the 400 House seats are most likely to determine whether Democrats can go from the 178 they won in 2024 to a majority in 2026. To watch a recording of the Projection Show, visit Steve's YouTube channel here.

The role of unions in the politics of New Hampshire and the country is - like much of the two major parties' coalitions - in flux. Rich Gulla, who has been President of New Hampshire's largest (about 11,000 members) union, has led the State Employees' Association since 2014, and has seen a lot in the last 11 years.I learned a lot in this conversation from Rich: The generational divide among Republicans in how they perceive the party's future relationship with most unions; the inherently pragmatic outlook Rich and his membership must take in dealing with both parties - and why it puts SEA in a uniquely strong position at the State House as the parties vie for power in 2026 and beyond; and what issues we can expect to see prioritized by labor in the future.We ended up talking a little football, drumming, and snowmobiling, too. Enjoy this conversation with one of most consequential leaders in today's New Hampshire politics.

Steve sat down with Shana Potvin & Nicole Bump for a recent Substack Live broadcast. Shana and Nicole have teamed up with Steve to create a new messaging program for New Hampshire's Democratic activists called "You Are the Media". It uses Shana's background in political psychology, Nicole's professional experience in marketing and communications, and Steve's background in politics and policy to create a tool for reaching the voters currently swinging election results, on the issues that matter most to them, using language that emotionally resonates with them, in the places where they are most likely to be. And we're doing it for each precinct in the State of New Hampshire. We've learned a lot during this process, which we share throughout the conversation, and then we answer a bunch of viewers' questions. It's hard-core politics, and a lot of fun. Visit www.MoveTheGoalpostsNH.com, and www.SteveMarchand.com, to learn more.

Sarah Chadzynski is an educator and non-profit leader who has spent a lot of the last few years working on the human impact of Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine. She's now a candidate for the open congressional seat in New Hampshire's 1st district (being vacated by Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026). I thought we'd spend more of this episode discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, but Chadzynski quickly brought it back to what she sees as a broader attack on human rights and the rule of law in other place, such as the Middle East...and right here in America.We also discussed America's response in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination, as well as how she sees her unique place in what has become a crowded and wide open primary for a key seat in the 2026 midterms.You can learn more about Chadzynski at her campaign website.

Heath Howard is the latest entrant in the Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire First Congressional District. Howard, from Barrington, is in his second term in the New Hampshire House, representing a very purple district in Strafford County.He’s unusually young for a congressional candidate (he is 25), and for many voters, that may be an initial point of resistance. But with none of the seven candidates older than about 50, age may end up being less of a factor than usual. And Howard definitely tries to use it as a proxy for “change”.I would definitely listen to his story about how he was nearly paralyzed at age 15 in a skiing accident, and how his mother, who is a physical therapist, was critical in navigating the health care system at a time of medical crisis for Howard.One of the goals as I seek to improve my performance in my podcasts and Substack Live programs is to draw out the personal stories that, in my 25 years in politics, always deeply influence how candidates see the world. I think we got some of that insight in this conversation.

Christian Urrutia is a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire's highly-competitive First Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Pappas (who is seeking to replace the retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in the US Senate in 2026).In what has become a crowded primary field, Urrutia is hoping to use a combination of an intriguing collection of life experiences (a successful attorney in private practice, a veteran, an appointee in President Biden's Department of Defense, a first-generation American, and currently an executive with AirBnB), a "progressive outsider " brand of policies to break through. In this episode, we get into depth on everything from health care (he supports Medicare For All), to the Israel/Hamas war (he has been an international human rights attorney), to housing, to why Democrats' brand is struggling six months into the 2nd Trump term.

On the 4th of July, we have today's conversation with Carleigh Beriont, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Hampshire's open seat in the 1st district. Beriont, who is a professional educator and the Vice Chairwoman of the Hampton Select Board, is an intriguing new talent in this race to succeed Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas, who is leaving the seat to run for the U.S. Senate seat opening up due to the retirement of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. We discuss the likely ramifications of President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" set to become law today - including to health care, Medicaid, energy policy, and the tax code.

Jon Kiper was a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2024, and he's back to run again in 2026, with a twist: He's running as an independent. Kiper, a restauranteur and former Town Councilor in Newmarket, surprised many with by getting almost 10% of the vote on a shoestring budget against two much better-known Democrats in 2024. He's focused like a laser on economics, especially housing and property taxes, and even has a catch phrase that includes his support of legalized cannabis: "Weed for Housing". We talked about his 2024 and 2026 runs, why he's taking the tougher road as an independent, and how politicians of both major parties need to better connect with the working class.

Is the Freedom Caucus (with a lot of help from Free Staters) about to show Governor Ayotte who runs the NHGOP?

Matt is a longtime friend, and (among other things) was Chief of Staff for former Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH) - which is how I got to know him. He's managed congressional campaigns, worked in NH at the state level as a Democratic policy director, and much more. When he's not writing for Newsweek and other publications, he has a Substack, as well: Worth Knowing with Matt Robison. He had me on as a guest on his YouTube program on the Cliff's Edge livestream network late last week, and we're providing that conversation here today. How are Trump's underwater favorability ratings, and the ongoing protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere, playing in competitive 2026 and 2028 states like New Hampshire. Listen in to find out!

New Hampshire State Rep. Alice Wade (D-Dover) joined us for a live broadcast to discuss her big news this week: She has filed an exploratory committee to run for the vacant congressional seat in NH-1. Wade is young (23 - but will be 25 in time for the state's September 2026 primary), but her education and career in aeronautic engineering come through as she talks about how she approaches legislating and issues in Concord (and, she hopes, in DC). We talk a lot about housing; how Democrats should approach President Trump; the path for Democrats to get back working-class voters; and where she sees her lane in this potentially large primary field. For much more information and analysis about NH politics, go to www.SteveMarchand.com. Thank you!

For somebody barely in her mid-30s, Hanna Trudo has done a lot in national political media. Hanna has covered Democrats for five election cycles, and previously led coverage of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election as a reporter for The Daily Beast. She has written for The New Republic, Wired, Marie Claire, Foreign Policy, Politico, and National Journal. The NH native is now back home in the Granite State, and is thinking of running for the open congressional seat in NH-1. We talked about where the national Democratic Party should go from here; how to best take on President Trump; and how her experiences covering the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has influenced her thinking about her own politics. Subscribe to Steve's nationally-ranked political Substack, at www.SteveMarchand.com.

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern visited the show today. He's being rumored for various higher offices in 2026, and the second-term mayor of New Hampshire's most Democratic-performing city certainly has the skills - and now, the experience. We talked in depth about the state's biggest problems: Education funding, sky-high property taxes, and housing. We also compared notes on what it's like to be a mayor (although my time was almost 20 years ago!). Finally, we get into New England sports, including the Celtics' prospects in a likely Tatum-free next season, and whether or not the Patriots are as good as the Vegas bookmakers seem to think they'll be. Also: I go through the travails of mistakenly bringing my wife's Kansas City Chiefs-themed reusable grocery bags to the store last week. Follow Deaglan at www.CityofPortsmouth.com, and subscribe to Steve's nationally-ranked political Substack at www.SteveMarchand.com.

Garry is a legend in New Hampshire political journalism: In his 30+ years with Foster's Daily Democrat, The New Hampshire Union Leader, and now InDepthNH, Garry has seen it all. In today's episode, we get into the weeds about the Free Staters growing influence in NH politics (and legislative dominance in the NHGOP); then the road ahead on education funding in NH. We all know the problem: the State is not in compliance with our Constitution, and doesn't adequately fund our schools. So what would an actual solution look like...and what would be the politics required to sell it? Then we get into the changes in NH media over the past 25+ years. How has the changing media landscape changed our political leaders? Check out Garry's weekly column at www.InDepthNH.org, and Steve's nationally-ranked political Substack at www.SteveMarchand.com.