On the eve of the Granite State's 2026 primary elections, two veteran politicos join the NHJournal podcast to talk about the state of the races and the state of New Hampshire politics.

Matt Mowers is president of Valcour, a global strategy firm. Before that, he was a political operative in New Hampshire who ran for Congress in the First Congressional District twice. He offers his insights — and predictions — about the upcoming election, as well as his view of the state of play in New Hampshire politics.

Then, Mark Halperin, editor-in-chief of the 2WAY political platform and host of “The Morning Meeting,” says the Granite State’s U.S. Senate race remains largely overlooked by the national political establishment — but it could ultimately determine control of the chamber.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

After a week of debates and poll drops, it's time for a full hour of political analysis and -- a fan favorite -- "Rank Punditry!"

The podcast starts with Boston Globe political reporter and NH politics veteran James Pindell, who talks about the competitive races in both New Hampshire and the Bay State, and why a certain Granite State Republican might be on the 2028 VP list.

Then we get a national take on New Hampshire politics from the chief author of the Almanac of American Politics, Lou Jacobsen. He ranks the competitive U.S. Senate races and talks about how nationalizing elections is impacting contests in states like New Hampshire.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua (Thank you!)

And by great NHJournal fans like you! (Click here to kick in $4.99/month)

New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard reflects on “probably the toughest three terms almost any speaker has ever had” in his farewell interview with NHJournal.com.

The Londonderry Republican recounts the challenges he faced, from the COVID-19 pandemic to an almost evenly divided House and growing political turmoil. Packard also discusses the recent overrides of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s vetoes, his belief that government is spending “the people’s money,” and the impact of social media on politics.

Then it’s “Rank Punditry” with veteran GOP strategist Jim Merrill, who analyzes the results of the new Saint Anselm College poll and the state of the hotly contested NH-01 Democratic primary.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

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