New Hampshire Senate Candidates Gregg, Cohen File Campaign Reports

by David Tamasi

WASHINGTON - While most New Hampshire voters are focused on the state's Democratic presidential primary Jan. 27, another statewide political race is looming next year.

Republican Senator Judd Gregg is seeking re-election to a third term, but faces a challenge from State Senator Burton J. Cohen, a Democrat from New Castle. Gregg is considered the favorite because of his high name recognition and his ability to raise money, which was strengthened when Gregg assumed the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee when Republicans took control of the Senate this year.

Gregg reported raising $179,590 from July 1 through Sept. 30, while spending $69,413, according to records filed with the Federal Elections Commission. At the end of the three-month period, he had $1,218,300 cash on hand. Altogether, Gregg has raised $1,248,317 for his 2004 race, 57 percent of it -- $709,438 -- from political action committees (PACs). Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests, and committee chairs such as Gregg are often prime beneficiaries of their donations.

Yet despite Gregg's financial advantage, New Hampshire Democrats say they are optimistic about Cohen's chances.

"I think he [Cohen] is going to work very hard," said Pamela Walsh, spokeswoman for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "There are weaknesses in Senator Gregg, and there is a growing unease with some of his positions."

Walsh blamed Gregg for Congress's failure to fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act, the education reform measure that became law in 2001. As a result, she said, New Hampshire taxpayers will have to pick an increased share of the tab to enforce the law's requirements for student testing and school performance.

The Cohen campaign insists the Democrat can be competitive with less money.

"We expect to be outspent," said Jesse Burchfield, Cohen's campaign manager. "But it is going well, and we are meeting our targets."

Cohen reported raising $98,271 from July 1 through Sept. 30 and spending $69,429, according to FEC reports. He ended the third quarter with $187,904 cash on hand. For the year, Cohen has raised $256,893. He has also lent his campaign $65,000 of his own money. In addition, Cohen reported receiving a $1,000 contribution from actress Susan Sarandon and donating $1,000 to the Democratic presidential campaign of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

In the last three months, Cohen spent $52,390, or about 75 percent of his total spending, on political consultants and staff. Of that, $21,200 went to the political fundraising firm of Cunningham, Harris and Associates, a significant expenditure that demonstrates Cohen's effort to bridge some of the fundraising gap with Gregg.

New Hampshire Republican Senator John Sununu, who does not face reelection until 2008, reported raising $6,050 in the three months that ended Sept. 30, while spending $28,951. He had $15,296 on hand.

The most recent campaign filing for Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward M. Kennedy showed that during the same time period, he raised $21,670, spent $54,903 and had $62,948 cash available. He also has $3,469,109 left over from his landslide reelection in 2000, money he can spend in his next race. Kennedy, 71, was first elected to the Senate in 1962. Aides have said that he will seek another term in 2006.