By John Celock
National Republicans are trying to reverse the trend in New Hampshire and have released a new ad targeting the Democratic incumbent governor.
The Republican Governors Association released an ad Thursday attacking New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s (D) as a career politician who has raised taxes in the Granite State. The ad comes as Republican nominee Walt Havenstein continues to trail the one-term Hassan in the polls in the swing state.
“Hassan is a Concord politician who has raised taxes and support Obamacare,” the ad said.
The ad describes Havenstein as a businessman who will not raise taxes. The tax issue remains the top one in New Hampshire, where even a suggestion of creating an income tax can doom a politician.
While New Hampshire is seeing competitive races for the U.S. Senate and Congress, Hassan has led in her battle to win a second term. Hassan, a former state Senate majority leader, was elected as the state’s third female governor in 2012. She is the currently the only Democratic woman governor in the country.
Democrats have been attacking Havenstein’s business record, highlighting a data breach for military patients of his firm SAIC. They have also attacked having former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina campaign for him.
The RGA has targeted New Hampshire on several occasions this year, with RGA Chairman New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie campaigning in the state, which hosts the nation’s first presidential primary. A long time Christie aide, Matt Mowers, is now executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party.