Rep. Brian Cole (R-Manchester) is a tireless advocate for expanding nuclear power in New Hampshire, and he's made energy policy the central plank of his campaign for U.S. Congress. In this edition of the NHJournal podcast, he talks about the realistic timeline for bringing new nuclear technology on line. He also talks about the U.S. war on Iran and Trump's impact on the November elections.

Also, instead of the weekly serving of "Rank Punditry" on NH politics, it's "Pundit-Palooza!" We asked a half dozen politically-active people to give their quick takes on how 2026 is shaping up:

• U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
• Republican strategist Mike Dennehy
• NH Home Builders' CEO Matt Mayberry
• NHFRW President Christine Peters
• Former GOP U.S. Senate candidate Vikram Mansharamani
• GOP media professional Chuck McGee

PS-- The episode kicks off with a cameo appearance from former Executive Councilor Andru Volinksy.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Click here to support NHJournal!

Republican NH01 primary candidate Hollie Noveletsky calls it a 'slap in the face' to Granite Staters and the country when Rep. Chris Pappas refused to stand and support the statement that the first duty of government is to protect American citizens over illegal aliens.

Noveletsky also doubled down on her support for tariff and trade policy that she says protects American workers, and she argues that manufacturing can't come back to New England as long as blue-state energy policies keep electricity costs high.

Plus: Comms expert Scott Spradling and former GOP Speaker of the House Bill O'Brien join the "Rank Punditry" panel to talk about the impact of the ICE facility's demise on Democratic hopes to defeat Gov. Kelly Ayotte, and why the NH DOJ's legal challenge to the Claremont school funding decisions is actually the biggest news in New Hampshire.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to support NHJournal? Just click here!

Christian Urrutia, one of the Democrats running in the NH01 primary, joins NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham to talk about his race, the issues that motivate him, and why Stefany Shaheen's candidacy doesn't "meet the moment."

Then, NH political veterans Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos (aka "The Notorious APX") and Patrick Hynes talk about the latest round of rumors that Cinde Warmington really is getting into the governor's race this time. Plus: Is NH getting redder or bluer?

Sponsored by Stackpole Books' "Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It."