New Portsmouth Governor's Race Could Be Close

Polling From Both Candidates Shows Tight Race

YANCEYBURG, NWP--With just weeks to go before the December 16th gubernatorial race in New Portsmouth, the race is already shaping up to be a close contest.

Polling from both candidates show the race will likely be close. NAT candidate Dale Rochey's campaign released a poll last month that showed him leading by an astonishing twenty-two points over his CON opponent, political activist Jacqueline Bosseau. The poll showed Rochey with 62%, and Bosseau with 38%.

Rochey, a state delegate from Dayle-Locke, heralded the poll results as proof of a strong campaign.

"The [poll] results show that delegate Rochey is the strongest candidate in this race, and the most preferred candidate. It looks as if he will win this election hands-down," Bart Tobald, spokesman for the Rochey campaign said.

But Bosseau's campaign released a poll earlier this week that shows the Conservative from Grantham has made up some ground. In fact, the poll, conducted for her campaign by INT Suveys, shows Rochey leading by about 11 points with 56%, Bosseau with 44%. The Bosseau campaign said their results show the race will be "anything but a 'hands-down' victory for Rochey."

"In just three weeks, Jacqueline Bosseau has nearly halved Dale Rochey's lead. As voters continue to learn about Jacqueline and hear her positive message of change and reform, they will increasingly support her and join her in the campaign for government over-haul," Bosseau spokeswoman Clarissa Cheans said.

Both polls showed Rochey with a wide lead in the Gadley County, the most populous county which includes the state's largest city and liberal stronghold Dayle-Locke. In both polls, Rochey was also leading significantly in Lanard County, arguably the most liberal county in the state, and Bosseau led in the southern region of the state in Haines and Ruxley Counties. The battleground counties, it appears, are going to be Bethany County, which includes the capitol and second-largest city Yanceyburg, and Erlwick County, which includes Boroughton.

"This election is really going to come down to Bethany County and Erlwick County," said Dr. Tim Cummins, professor of domestic politics at Southern New Portsmouth University in Hestock. "If Jacqueline Bosseau is going to win, she must win Yanceyburg at least by five points, and she must win Boroughton by the same."

Rochey is campaigning on several issues. He has said as governor, he would like to increase education spending and do more to protect the environment. He also wants to increase healthcare coverage for the state's 615,000 citizens and wants more gun-control laws in place.

Bosseau is ardently opposed to more taxes. She has vowed to cut taxes if elected. She also wants to improve the state's transportation system by investing more money in the NH-1 corridor project. She is supportive of allowing hunting on the west side of Mt. Sabacca National Park, and she says she is adamantly opposed to gun-control.

The one and only debate between the two candidates will be held December 2nd, 7:00 PM in Yanceyburg.

Rochey's Lieutenant Governor candidate, Jane Hanman, of Grantham, will also debate Bosseau's running mate, Evan Kershing, of Hestock, in Dayle-Locke on December 6th at 6:00 PM.