Conservative and libertarian-leaning Governor Barry Newkirk is seeking a third two-year term, but he's facing some strong headwinds from his NAT opponent, Federal Senator Jean Larae Dowd.
Dowd won the NAT's nomination last week, after a close four-way race that included two former senators and a former attorney general.
Dowd narrowly prevailed over Michael Berryham, the state's progressive former AG, by just 1.5 percent.
The initial count had Dowd leading by slightly less than one percent. While the race was close, a mandatory recount was not automatically triggered, as state law says a candidate must lead by 0.5 percent or less for an automatic recount to be held.
However, the Berryham campaign requested a recount, at a cost of $477,000, which the Berryham campaign paid for.
The recount, which included more ballots from military and late-arriving mail-in ballots, had Dowd expanding her lead, with a still very close outcome.
Dowd's expanded lead, however, was enough for Berryham to concede.
He joined former Sen. Chris McConnitch, who placed third with almost 27 percent, and former Sen. Clinton Ashby, who received less than five percent.
Berryham, a staunch progressive who has unsuccessfully sought multiple offices since leaving his former AG position, urged Dowd to pursue a progressive agenda as governor, should she win.
"I am happy to endorse Jean Larae Dowd for governor, but I hope she won't forget the progressive voters who backed me and my campaign, and all the urgent needs our state has. We can't afford compromise. We can't afford watering down policy to win over Conservative support. We need progressive action now," said a determined Berryham.
At her election night celebration in Dayle-Locke's central business district, Dowd pledged to increase state spending on education, climate change mitigation, and health care.
"When I'm elected governor, we will put seniors and children first. We will put disabled and otherly abled New Portsmouthians first. We will put the corporations and businesses last," she said, to resounding applause.
Upon winning the NAT primary, Newkirk immediately attacked Dowd as "another liberal old white lady."
He and his supporters attacked 81-year-old former Gov. Welma Sidley with similar insults when she ran against Newkirk in both 2024 and 2022.
"It appears Conservatives are pulling out the same old playbook that they used against Welma," said Dowd at a campaign event in Fellwood County Sunday. "New Portsmouth voters see right through these attacks."
Newkirk posted on his official "X" account (formerly Twitter) that he had congratulated Dowd on her primary victory, and he looked forward to crossing paths on the campaign trail.
"New Portsmouthians are very spirited people," said Newkirk. "We care about our property, about our taxes, about our freedoms. And I look forward to showcasing my views and policies against those of liberal Jean Larae Dowd, who wants to take away guns, who wants to increase taxes, who wants to take away property rights and gas stoves and wood stoves all in the name of fighting climate change and making 'progress.'"
Newkirk has his work cut out for him, though.
A recent Insiders poll shows Dowd, who has served in the Senate for two terms and enjoyed high popularity, leading the incumbent, albeit narrowly, 51 to 47 percent, respectively.
The Dowd campaign heralded the poll, saying it was evidence that New Portsmouth's voters are embracing the senator's agenda.
The Newkirk campaign said the governor has expected this year's election to be close, and he is campaigning "like he's applying for a job, trying to convince the board of directors to hire him," said Newkirk campaign spokesman Jacob Winters.
Dowd also received endorsements from McConnitch and Ashby. She has yet to announce her running mate, but many insiders believe she will pick a woman, which be a history-making choice if the duo wins in December.
***Election Results -- New Portsmouth Governor's Race -- NAT***
| 286,090 | 95,694 | 33.45% | 99,985 | 34.95% | 76,329 | 26.68% | 14,083 | 4.92% |
| Total Votes | 33.45% | 34.95% | 26.68% | 4.92% | ||||
| 100% | Berryham | Dowd | McConnitch | Ashby |
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